MXPA06007793A

MXPA06007793A - Methods for washing poultry during processing with medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositions

Info

Publication number: MXPA06007793A
Application number: MXPA/A/2006/007793A
Authority: MX
Inventors: F Man Victor; P Magnuson Joshua; D Hilgren John
Original assignee: Ecolab Inc; D Hilgren John; P Magnuson Joshua; F Man Victor
Priority date: 2004-01-09
Filing date: 2006-07-06
Publication date: 2006-12-13

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for reducing microbial contamination on poultry, or on surfaces used in processing poultry, employing compositions including medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, and to the compositions. The methods include applying a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition to poultry or to the surfaces.

Description

METHODS FOR WASHING POULTRY BIRDS DURING THE PROCESSING WITH ACID COMPOSITIONS PEROXICARBOXÍLICO DE CADENA MEDIA Field of the Invention The present invention relates to methods for reducing microbial conlamination in poultry, or on surfaces used in the processing of poultry, using compositions including medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, and to the compositions. The methods include the application of a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition to the poultry or to the surfaces.

Background of the Invention All poultry carcasses that enter the processing environment are contaminated by microorganisms, some with pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella. Fecal matter and dirt are the main sources of this contamination. As a result of such contamination, the poultry typically is washed at any of the different steps during processing to convert a live bird into an edible food product. The washing is intended to remove dirt, giblets, blood, viscera, other debris, and poultry microbes.

Removing or reducing microbes aids the safe storage and consumption of poultry although in many existing washing procedures failures significantly reduce the microbial load on the poultry. The potential for the skin of the poultry to become cross-contaminated is made worse by the ability of all types of microorganisms to adhere within only 15 seconds of contact. Once in the processing environment, a significant number of channels can be cross-contaminated with pathogens during handling, blanching, mechanical processing, and cooling. Current methods for many of these procedures also fail to significantly reduce the microbial load in poultry. The water used for washing or these other procedures is often used repeatedly over time, which provides yet another opportunity to disperse, rather than reduce, the microbial load in poultry. For example, water becomes contaminated with organic matter and microbes from poultry, and organic matter provides nutrients for microbial growth in water over time or through additional uses. These microbes can grow and contaminate additional poultry and processing equipment. In particular, water left untreated in a submersion bath tends to decontaminate the poultry at the beginning of a change but contaminates the poultry later in the change. In fact, this water has been identified as a potential source of contamination of coliforms, E. Coli and Salmonella or cross-contamination during the processing of poultry. Salmonella and other microorganisms are generally unwanted for poultry, water, and can cause accumulation on all contact surfaces with water from a silt or a biolayer, which requires frequent washing to remove it. Microbial contamination or cross contamination of poultry through water continues to be the main concern of poultry processors and end users. Although washing, chilling, or heating the poultry carcasses with water can potentially reduce contamination, the processing water can also serve as a source of contamination or cross-contamination. If pathogenic microorganisms in the water are not removed, inactivated or otherwise controlled, they can be dispersed to other poultry, potentially contaminating them. In addition, handling or processing steps that accumulate many individual parts of poultry tend to increase the risk that a single contaminated item can contaminate the entire lot. Dipping or spraying poultry in fresh water can help reduce surface microorganism populations. However, sterilization with repeated washing, even with sterile water, may not be achieved because the microorganisms within the tissues of the poultry remain in place.

The addition of antimicrobial agents to the process wash water can inactivate the vegetative bacterial cells in water, helping to avoid contamination. Ideally, an antimicrobial agent or compound used in such a system will have various important properties in addition to its antimicrobial efficacy. The compound or agent must not have a technical effect on the final food product. The residual activity implies the presence of a layer of antimicrobial material which will continue to have an antimicrobial effect which may require an additional rinsing of the food product. The antimicrobial agent can also be odorless to prevent the transfer of unwanted odors to food materials. If direct contact with food occurs, the antimicrobial agent may also be composed of food additive materials that will not affect the healthiness of the food and should not affect humans if accidental ingestion results. In addition, the antimicrobial agent may be composed of innocuous ingredients naturally present, which are chemically compatible with the environment and do not cause concern for toxic residues in the water. In the past, flushing of poultry or processing waters has generally been treated with chlorinated compounds, organic acids, acidified sodium chlorite, trisodium phosphate or ozone. Generally, these materials are effective in reducing microbial contamination in poultry. However, the utilization rate of these antimicrobials is very high because they are not effective at low concentrations or tend to be consumed quickly due to the high organic load included with poultry. Excessive chlorination of water for food processing with hypochlorite has prompted concerns about the production of toxic or carcinogenic organochlorine compounds and other by-products. In addition, the efficacy - of conventional antimicrobial agents on the surface of poultry is often limited. For example, it has been reported that, generally, concentrations of more than 4% by weight of organic acids or from 5 to 10% by weight of trisodium phosphate are required to effectively reduce the contamination of poultry skin by S. typhimurium. . Antimicrobial agents such as peroxides or lactic acid can result in discoloration, whitening, or swelling of the tissue of the poultry. The EPA approved a composition based on peroxyacetic acid in 1996 to control microbial growth and reduce the formation of biolayer in the transport of fruits and vegetables or process waters. From a historical perspective, peroxyacetic acid has been used to sanitize food contact surfaces, aseptic packaging and sterilization by cooling medical devices. In addition to these biocidal properties, the decomposition by-products friendly to the environment and the good stability of the presence of organic matter helped this technology to gain acceptance among fruit and vegetable packers, handlers and processors. Such conventional peroxycarboxylic acid compositions typically include short chain peroxycarboxylic acids or mixtures of short chain peroxycarboxylic acids and medium chain peroxycarboxylic acids (see, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,200,189, 5,314,687, 5,409,713, 5,437,868, 5,489,434, 6,674,538, 6,010,729, .6, 111, 963 and 6,514,556). However, a need remains for improved antimicrobial compositions for addition in waters used for the washing or processing of poultry.

Compendium of the Invention The present invention relates to methods for reducing microbial contamination in poultry, or on surfaces used in the processing of poultry, using compositions including medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, and to the compositions. The methods include application of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid to the poultry or the surface. The compositions and methods of the invention provide an antimicrobial agent useful in water for the washing or processing of poultry., which has a high degree of antimicrobial efficacy, and which is safely ingested by humans while not imposing unacceptable environmental incompatibility. The compositions of the invention and other medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial compositions can be employed in methods for reducing microbial contamination in poultry and water used to wash or process poultry. These methods include the application of a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition to the poultry during processing, for example in an amount and time sufficient to reduce the microbial population. The composition can be applied by methods that include submerging, rinsing, spraying, or air cooling in the poultry, or a combination of these routes. During processing, the composition can be applied to the complete poultry, dismembered, divided into portions, or pitted. In one embodiment, the method includes recovering a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition before being applied to poultry. The recovered composition can be treated by adding a sufficient amount of peroxycarboxylic acid to produce a recycled antimicrobial composition of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. The recycled medium chain composition includes a reduced level of microbes, such as human pathogens, and can be disposed of safely. Alternatively, the recycled medium chain composition can be applied to the poultry during processing. In one embodiment, the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid added to form the recycled composition is formed by adding a concentrated medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition to form a composition with suitable levels of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial use. In one embodiment, water (e.g., the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition) that has been used to wash the poultry can be recovered and recycled to wash poultry or the apparatus or plants used to transport or process poultry. the poultry. In one embodiment, the method for recycling the water for flushing poultry includes the use of wash water recovered from one or more washing procedures or a previous washing procedure such as the processing of the poultry. In one embodiment, the method for recycling poultry washing water includes the use of wash water recovered from one or more washing procedures to wash the apparatuses in the processing of poultry, plants or parts of the plant itself. . In one embodiment, the antimicrobial composition of the present invention includes medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, solubilizers, oxidizing agents, and acidulants. Such a composition can include about 0.0005 to about 5% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; about 0.001 to about 10% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid; about 0 to about 99.99% by weight of water, and about 0.001 to about 80% by weight of solubilizer effective to solubilize the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid and the medial chain carboxylic acid. The composition may include a microemulsion and / or about 2 or more parts by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid per 7 parts by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid. In use form, the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition can include about 2 to about 500 ppm of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, about 5 to about 2000 ppm of medium chain carboxylic acid, about 95 to about 99.99% by weight of water, and about 2 to about 16,000 ppm of solubilizer.

Detailed description of the invention Definitions As used herein, the phrase "medium chain carboxylic acid" refers to a carboxylic acid that: 1) has a reduced or lacking odor compared to the bad, pungent, or harsh odor associated with an equal concentration of short chain carboxylic acid, and 2) has a critical micelle concentration greater than 1 mM in an aqueous pH regulator at neutral pH. Medium chain carboxylic acids exclude carboxylic acids that are infinitely soluble or miscible in water at 20 ° C. Medium chain carboxylic acids include carboxylic acids with boiling points (at 760 mm Hg pressure) of 180 to 300 ° C. In one embodiment, the medium chain carboxylic acids include carboxylic acids with boiling points (at 760 mm Hg pressure) of 200 to 300 ° C. In one embodiment, the medium chain carboxylic acids include those with solubility in water of less than 1 g / L at 25 ° C. Examples of medium chain carboxylic acids include pentanoic acid, hexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, undecanoic acid, and dodecanoic acid. As used herein, the phrase "medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid" refers to the peroxycarboxylic acid form of a medium chain carboxylic acid. As used herein, the phrase "short chain carboxylic acid" refers to a carboxylic acid that: 1) has a bad, pungent, harsh, characteristic odor, and 2) is infinitely soluble or miscible in water at 20 ° C. Examples of short chain carboxylic acids include formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid As used herein, the phrase "short chain peroxycarboxylic acid" refers to the peroxycarboxylic acid form of a carboxylic acid. short chain As used herein, the term "solubilizer" refers to a component of the present composition that makes soluble or increases the solubility in a carrier (eg, water) of the medium chain carboxylic acid, peroxycarboxylic acid of medium chain, or mixture thereof For example, in one embodiment, the solubilizer can maintain a composition that includes medium chain carboxylic acid, peroxycarb acid medium chain oxyl, or mixtures thereof in solution or can keep the dispersed composition finely and uniformly under ordinary storage conditions without forming a separate layer. The solubilizer can, for example, solubilize a medium chain carboxylic acid to a sufficient degree to allow it to react as an oxidizing agent, such as acidic peroxide. A solubilizer can be identified by a test that measures the separation phase under ordinary storage conditions, such as room temperature, 37.7 ° C, or 60 ° C. As used herein, the term "solubilizer" does not include short chain carboxylic acids, they are not solubilizers. As used herein, the term "microemulsion" refers to a thermodynamically stable dispersion of a liquid phase within another phase stabilized by an interfacial surfactant film. The dispersion can be oil in water or water in oil. Microemulsions are typically clear solutions when the size of the droplet is approximately 100 nanometers or less. In one embodiment, the present composition of the microemulsion is a viscoelastic gel thinned by shear that has the appearance of a Tyndall blue. As used herein, the phrases "appearance of a Tyndall blue" or "Tyndall blue" refer to a bluish tone due to the scattering of blue light or the blue region of the light spectrum. As used herein, the phrases "viscoelastic gel" and "viscoelastic liquid" refer to a liquid composition exhibiting both viscous and elastic characteristics or responses, which is indicative of a large margin order or structure. As used in this, the composition or combination "consisting essentially" of certain ingredients refers to a composition that includes those ingredients and that lacks any ingredient that materially affects the basic and novel characteristics of the composition or method. The phrase "consisting essentially of" excludes from the claimed compositions and methods the short chain carboxylic acids, short chain peroxycarboxylic acids, or mixtures thereof. ; unless that ingredient is specifically listed after the phrase. As used herein, a composition or combination of "substantially free of" one or more ingredients refers to a composition that does not include any of those ingredients or that includes only small or incidental amounts of that ingredient. Small or incidental amounts may include the amount of the ingredient found and the other ingredient as an impurity or that is generated in a minor fraction reaction during the formation or degradation of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. As used herein, the phrase "an insufficient level to solubilize" refers to a concentration of an ingredient at which the ingredient is not sufficient to solubilize an insoluble material and to maintain the composition substantially in one phase. As used herein, the phrases "unacceptable odor", "offensive odor", or "bad odor" refers to a sharp, pungent, or harsh smell or an atmospheric environment from which a typical person retires if he can. The hedonic tone provides a measure of the degree to which an odor is pleasant or unpleasant. An "unacceptable odor", "offensive odor", or "bad odor" has a hedonic tone rating so unpleasant or more than a solution of acetic acid, propionic acid, 5% by weight butyric acid or mixtures thereof. As used herein, the term "microorganism" refers to any non-cellular or unicellular organism (including colonies). The microorganisms include all prokaryotes. Microorganisms include bacteria (including cyanobacteria), lichens, fungi, protozoa, virions, viroids, viruses, phages, and some algae. As used herein, the term "microbe" is synonymous with the microorganism. As used herein, the term "poultry" refers to the forms of any bird kept, raised, or domesticated to use its meat or its eggs, and includes chicken, turkey, ostriches, woodland hen, pigeon, guinea, pheasant, quail, duck, goose, emu, or similar and the eggs of these birds.

Poultry includes whole poultry, sectioned, processed, cooked or raw poultry or covers all forms of poultry meat, by-products, and by-products. Poultry meat includes muscle, fat, organs, skin, bones and body fluids and similar components that make up the animal. Forms of animal flesh include, for example, the complete part of the meat of the animal, alone or in combination with other ingredients. Typical forms include, for example, processed poultry meat, such as pickled poultry meat, sectioned and shaped products, minced products, finely chopped products and whole products. As used herein, the phrase "surface for processing poultry" refers to a surface of a tool, a machine, a piece of equipment, a structure, a building, or something similar that is used as part of the poultry processing activity, preparation, or storage. Examples of surfaces for processing poultry include equipment for processing or preparing poultry, articles or utensils for processing poultry, and floors, walls, or fixed structures in which the processing of birds of poultry occurs. corral. The tools or tools for poultry processing include the stunning apparatus, razor, steel for sharpening, stone for sharpening, covers and straps to store the knives, saw for meat, knife, conveyor, bucket, work platform, barrel or tank for boiling, casserole, barrel or system to boil water, scraper, table or platform to scrape, thermometer, hook, bleeding hook, blood collection tray, wash tray, bucket to wash hands, rack, table, tank , cutting table, carton, deposit, wrapping table, paper or plastic bags or pouches for wrapping poultry, handgrip, metal mask, safety gloves, boning apron, safety apron, and the like. As used herein, the phrase "poultry processing machinery" refers to the equipment used in the first processing or sacrifice for cooling that includes a conveyor belt, shackle, killing machine, blood channel, blancher, machine selection, post-selection rinse booth, leg cutter in "jarrete", head cutter, remover of glands that secrete oil / crusher of necks, sewer cutter, opening machine, disemboweling machine, packer trawler, production remover, lung remover, channel washer, inside out scrubber, antimicrobial rinse booth, cooler; and also refers to the equipment used for the second processing or processing of parts (eg, deboning, and portion control) and includes channel bifurcation, deboning, cutters, and balers. As used herein, the phrase "poultry waste" refers to any waste, residue, material, dirt, giblets, part of poultry, leftover poultry, poultry viscera, organs of poultry, fragments or combinations of these materials, and the like removed from a poultry carcass or portion during processing and entering a waste stream. As used herein, the term "mixed" or "mixture" when used in connection with "peroxycarboxylic acid composition" or "peroxycarboxylic acids" refers to a composition or mixture that includes more than one peroxycarboxylic acid, such as a composition or mixture including peroxyacetic acid and peroxyoctanoic acid. As used herein, the phrase "densified fluid" refers to a fluid in a critical, subcritical, near critical, or supercritical state. The fluid is usually a gas under standard conditions at an atmosphere of pressure and 0 ° C. As used herein, the phrase "supercritical fluid" refers to a dense gas that remains above its critical temperature, the temperature at which it can not be liquefied by pressure. Supercritical fluids are typically less viscous and diffuse more easily than liquids. In one embodiment, a dense fluid is at, above, or slightly below its critical point. As used herein, the phrase "critical point" is the point of transition at which the liquid and gaseous states of one substance combine within the other and represent the combination of the critical temperature and the critical pressure of a substance. The critical pressure is exactly enough pressure to cause the appearance of two phases at the critical temperature. Critical temperature and pressure have been reported for numerous organic and inorganic compounds and for various elements. As used herein, the terms "near critical" fluid or "subcritical" fluid refer to a fluid material that is typically below the critical temperature of a supercritical fluid, but remains in a fluid and denser state than a typical gas due to the effects of pressure in the fluid. In one embodiment, a subcritical or near-critical fluid is at a temperature and / or pressure exactly below its critical point. For example, a subcritical fluid close to the critical can remain below its critical temperature but above its critical pressure, below its critical pressure but above its critical temperature, or below its critical temperature and pressure. The terms close to the critical and subcritical do not refer to material in its ordinary gaseous or liquid state. As used herein, the term "about" which modifies the amount of an ingredient in the compositions of the invention or used in the methods of the invention refers to the variation in numerical quantity that may occur, for example, through of a typical measurement and liquid handling procedures used to make concentrates or use solutions in the real world; through an inadvertent error in these procedures; through differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of the ingredients used to make compositions or carry out the methods; and similar. The term "roughly" also encompasses amounts that differ due to different equilibrium conditions for a composition that result from a particular mixture of onset. Whether or not they are modified by the term "approximately", the claims include equivalents to the amounts. The differentiation of the antimicrobial activity "-cida" or "-static", definitions that describe the degree of efficacy, and in official laboratory protocols to measure this effectiveness are considerations to understand the relevance of antimicrobial agents and compositions. The antimicrobial compositions can effect two types of microbial cell damage. The first is a lethal, irreversible action resulting in complete destruction or incapacitation of microbial cells. The second type of cell damage is reversible, so that if the organism was delivered free of the agent, it can multiply again. The one mentioned first is called microbicide and the last one is microbiostatic. A purifier and a disinfectant are, by definition, agents that provide the antimicrobial or microbiocidal activity. In contrast, a preservative is generally described as an inhibitory or microbiostatic composition. For the purpose of this patent application, successful microbial reduction is achieved when microbial populations are reduced by at least about 50%, or by significantly more than what is achieved by a water wash. Large reductions in the microbial population provide higher levels of protection for processed poultry products. As used herein, a composition or combination "consisting essentially" of certain ingredients refers to a composition that includes those ingredients lacking any ingredient that materially affects the basic and novel characteristics of the composition or method. The phrase "consisting essentially of" excludes the claimed methods and compositions: a coupling agent; an ingredient that can not be used in food products or in the washing, handling or processing of food, in accordance with US government rules or regulations; and / or a peroxycarboxylic acid or carboxylic acid with 10 or more carbon atoms; unless the ingredient is specifically listed after the phrase.

Poultry Processing Using Medium Chain Peroxycarboxylic Acid Compositions The concentrate and compositions of use of the present invention can be used for a variety of antimicrobial purposes, for example or to form systems for processing and / or washing poultry based in water The present compositions and methods can be used for the processing of poultry and / or poultry meat in any step from gathering the live birds to packing the final product. For example, the present compositions and methods can be employed for washing, rinsing, chilling, or scaling of poultry carcases, parts of poultry carcasses, or poultry organs to reduce contamination of these elements with microorganisms. that cause putrefaction / decomposition, and pathogenic microorganisms. Prior to processing, live poultry are generally transported and collected at the beginning of the processing line. Poultry can be washed before entering the processing line. Processing typically begins with the sacrifice of the birds, for example, by electrical stunning, followed by cutting the neck and bleeding. A first wash step, known as blanching (eg scalding by submerging or dipping) may follow a bleed and loosen the adherence of the feathers on the skin of the poultry. Blanching by submersion can be completed according to the methods and using compositions of the present invention. Scalding by submersion may include immersing a stunned and bled bird within a hot scalding water bath or an antimicrobial liquid composition, for example, the temperature from about 50 to about 80 ° C or about 50 to about 60 ° C. . The liquid antimicrobial composition in the bath can be agitated, subjected to sound application, or pumped to increase the contact of the composition with the channel. Blanching can be conducted in a scald tank or tray, which contains the scalding liquid with sufficient depth to completely submerge the poultry carcass. The channel can be transported through the tank through a conveyor at a speed that provides a few minutes in the blanching liquid. According to the present invention, the blanching bath can include a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition, for example, a composition of the present invention. In one embodiment, the hot scald bath contains a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition with about 2 to about 50 ppm, about 10 to about 200 ppm, or about 10 to about 20 ppm peroxycarboxylic, and additional ingredient amounts such as is described in the present. The scalding bath may also include one or more of the additional ingredients allowed in scalding baths. After blanching by submersion, the poultry may be picked, rinsed, and optionally scorched before the next washing process. This second washing process is generally known as "flushing", "New York plucking", or post-rinse rinse, which flushes residual hair follicles and feathers! The plucking rinse may include spraying the chosen channels with water, for example, at a temperature of about 5 to about 30 ° C. To increase contact with the channels, the antimicrobial compositions in the spray water can be applied at high pressures, flow rates, temperatures, or with ultrasonic energy agitation. The flushing rinse can be completed with a washing apparatus such as a washing or spray booth with fixed or movable spray nozzles. Alternatively, a "flood" rinse or a liquid submersion wash can be used immediately after selecting. In accordance with the present invention, the rinse was selected or the plucking rinse can be completed using a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition, for example a composition of the present invention. For example, the plucking rinse may employ a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition with about 2 to about 500, about 10 to about 200, about 50 to about 300 ppm, or about 100 to about 200 ppm peroxycarboxylic acid, and additional ingredients as described herein. The plucking rinse can be a final washing step before dismembering the poultry. The dismemberment may include the removal of the head, legs, gutting, neck removal, in any order commonly used in the processing of poultry. Washing can also occur during dismemberment. The dismembered and gutted poultry can then be subjected to a washing step known as bird flushing from the inside out (IOBW). The flushing of birds from the inside out washes the inside (body cavity) and outside of the bird. The flushing of birds from the inside out may include rinsing the interior and exterior surfaces of the channel with water currents or floods, for example, at a temperature of about 5 to about 30 ° C. To increase the contact of the channel with the antimicrobial compositions in the spray water can be applied at high pressures, flow rates, temperatures, or with agitation or ultrasonic energy. The flushing of birds from the inside out can be completed with an apparatus that floods the bird's canal with a flow of water in the internal cavity and on the outside of the canal. Such an apparatus may include a series of fixed spray nozzles for applying antimicrobial compositions to the outside of the bird and to a rinse or bayonet probe that enters and applies the antimicrobial composition to the body cavity. According to the present invention, the flushing of birds from the inside out can be completed by employing a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition, for example, a composition of the present invention. For example, the flushing of birds from the inside out can employ a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition with from about 2 to about 500, about 10 to about 200, about 20 to about 200 ppm, or about 50 or about 100 ppm of peroxycarboxylic acid, and additional ingredients as described herein. After the bird washing from the inside out, both the inside and the outside of the bird can be subjected to additional decontamination. This additional decontamination can be completed in part by a step commonly known as antimicrobial spray rinse, purifying rinse, or finishing rinse. Such rinsing may include spraying the inner and outer surfaces of the channel with water, for example, at a temperature of about 5 to about 30 ° C. To increase contact with the channels, the antimicrobial compositions in the spray water can be applied using fixed or articulated nozzles, at high pressures, with flow rates, temperatures, with agitation or ultrasonic energy, or with rotating brushes. The spray rinse can be completed with an apparatus such as a spray booth with fixed or mobile spray nozzles. The nozzles create a mist, vapor, or spray that makes contact with the surfaces of the channel. In accordance with the present invention, the antimicrobial spray rinse, purifying rinse, or terminating rinse may be completed by employing a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition, for example, a composition of the present invention. For example, the spray rinse may employ a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition with about 2 to about 500, about 10 to about 200, about 50 to about 300 ppm, or about 100 to about 200 ppm peroxycarboxylic acid, and additional ingredients as described herein. After the spray rinse, the bird may be ready for packaging or for additional processing or cooling specifically cooling by submersion or air cooling. Submersion chills wash and cool the bird to maintain the quality of the meat. Submersion cooling may include complete immersion of the channel in water or muddy snow, for example, at a temperature of less than about 5 ° C, until the temperature of the channel reaches water or muddy snow. The cooling of the channel can be completed by submersion in a simple bath, in two or more stages, each at a lower temperature. Water can be applied with agitation or ultrasonic energy to increase contact with the channel. The submersion cooling can be completed by an apparatus such as a tank containing the cooling liquid with sufficient depth of liquid to submerge the poultry carcass channel. The channel can be transported through the cooler by several mechanisms, such as a feeder hole or a sliding base conveyor. Submersion cooling can also be completed by pulling the channels in a cascade of cold water. In accordance with the present invention, the submersion cooling can be completed by employing a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition, for example, a composition of the present invention. For example, the submersion cooling may employ a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition with from about 2 to about 500, about 10 to about 200, about 2 to about 100 ppm, or about 2 to about 30 ppm of peroxycarboxylic acid, and additional ingredients as described herein. Like cooling by submersion, cooling by air, or cryogenic cooling freeze the bird to retain the quality of the meat. Air cooling can be more effective in decontaminating birds, since air typically can not dissolve, suspend, or wash contaminants. Air cooling with a gas containing an antimicrobial agent can, however, reduce the burden of microbes, and others, contaminants in the bird. Air cooling may include the enclosure of the channel of a chamber having a temperature below about 5 ° C until the channel is cooled. Air cooling can be completed using a cryogenic fluid or gas as a blanket or as a spray. According to the present invention, air cooling can be completed by employing a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition, for example, a composition of the present invention. For example, air-cooling compositions can include a medium-chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition or as a densified fluid. After cooling, the bird may be subjected to additional processing steps including post-chill submersion, post-chilled dew, heavy, quality grading, distribution, division, deboning, and the like. Further processing may also include methods or compositions according to the present invention for washing with medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositions. For example, it may be advantageous to wash the poultry portions, such as legs, breasts, wings and the like, formed by the division of the bird. Such portions form or reveal new flesh, skin, or bone surfaces that can be subjected to contamination and benefit from the treatment of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial compositions. Similarly, deboning the poultry carcass or a portion of the poultry carcass can expose additional areas of meat or bone for microbial contamination. Washing the boneless poultry carcass or a portion with a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition can advantageously reduce said contamination. In addition, during any further processing, boneless meat can also come into contact with microbes, for example, on contaminated surfaces. Washing the boneless meat with medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositions can reduce this contamination. The washing may be completed by spraying, dipping, tumbling, or a combination thereof, or by applying the gaseous antimicrobial composition or as a densified fluid. In the usable secondary products of the poultry include heart, liver, gizzard (for example, offal), neck, legs, and the like. These are usually collected later in processing, and sold as food products. Of course, microbial contamination of such food products is not desired. Thus, these side products can also be washed with a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition in methods of the present invention. Typically, by-products can be washed after being harvested from the poultry carcass and before packing. They can be washed by submersion or spray, or transported in a gutter that includes the antimicrobial composition. They can be contacted with an antimicrobial composition according to the invention in a giblet cooler or in an ice cooler.

The poultry, poultry products, poultry portions, poultry by-products, or the like can be packaged before being sent for further processing, to another processor, within the store, or to the consumer. Any poultry can be washed with a water-based medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition, which can then be removed (eg, drained, blown, or absorbed) from the poultry. In certain circumstances the humidity of the poultry before packing is disadvantageous. In such circumstances, a densified gas or fluid form of the antimicrobial composition of the peroxycarboxylic acid can be used to reduce the microbial load of the poultry. Such a gaseous composition can be employed in a variety of known processes for exposing the poultry to gas before or during packing, such as a modified atmosphere packing. The advantageous stability of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositions in such methods, which includes the presence of poultry waste or debris, makes these compositions competitive with chlorinated compounds that are cheaper, less stable, and potentially toxic. The embodiments of the methods of the present invention include the agitation or application of sound of the composition of use, particularly when a concentrate is added to the water to make the composition of use. In one embodiment, the present method includes water systems that have some agitation, spray, or other mixed solution. The poultry products can be contacted with the compositions of the invention effective to result in a significantly greater reduction than what is achieved by washing with water, or at least a reduction of 50%, at least a reduction of 90%. %, or at least a 99% reduction in the resident microbial preparation. The present methods may employ a certain minimum contact time of the composition with the poultry for the appearance of a significant antimicrobial effect. The contact time may vary with the concentration of the composition of use, the method of application of the composition of use, the temperature of the composition of use, or the amount of dirt in the poultry, the number of microorganisms in the poultry, or similar. In one embodiment, the exposure time is at least about 5 to about 15 seconds.

Spraying Poultry A method of the present method for washing poultry uses a pressure spray of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition. During the application of the spray solution with the poultry products, the surface of poultry products can be moved with mechanical action, for example, agitated, floated, brushed, etc. Agitation can be done by physical scrubbing of the poultry product. Through the action of the spray solution under pressure, through sonication or another method. Agitation increases the effectiveness of the spray solution by killing microorganisms, perhaps due to better exposure to the solution within fissures or small colonies containing the microorganism. The spray solution, before application, can be heated to a temperature of about 15 to 20 ° C or about 20 to 60 ° C to increase efficiency. Spray application can be completed using a manual spray application rod, an automatic spray of poultry products moving through a production line using multiple spray heads to ensure full contact, or other device Dew. An automatic spray application involves the use of a spray booth. The spray booth substantially confines the sprayed compositions within the booth parameter. The production line moves the poultry products through the entrance into the spray booth where the poultry products are sprayed on all external surfaces with the spray inside the cabin. After complete material coverage and draining of poultry products inside the cabin, the poultry products can then leave the cabin in a completely treated way. The spray booth may include pressure jets which are used to apply the antimicrobial compositions of the invention. These steam jets can be used in combination with chilled water to ensure that the treatment that reaches the surfaces of poultry is less than 65 ° C, or less than 60 ° C. The temperature of the spray in the poultry products can ensure that the poultry product is not substantially altered (cooked) by the temperature of the spray. The spray pattern can be virtually any spray pattern used.

Immersion of Poultry During the processing of poultry products, the poultry product can be immersed in a tank containing a quantity of washing solution. The washing solution can be stirred to increase the efficiency of the solution and the speed at which the solution reduces the microorganisms that accompany the poultry products. Agitation may be obtained by conventional methods, including ultrasound, air bubble ventilation through the solution, by mechanical methods, such as strainers, paddles, brushes, liquid jet pumps, or combinations of these methods. The washing solution can be heated to increase the efficiency of the solution to kill the microorganisms. In one embodiment, the poultry products can be immersed in wash solutions after the poultry products have been gutted and before the cooling process such as a cooling tank or a cooling water spray. In one embodiment, the poultry products can be submerged in the post-chill washing compositions.

Treatment of Poultry with Foam In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the poultry products can be treated with a foam version of the composition. The foam can be prepared by mixing the foaming surfactants with the washing solution at the time of use. The foaming surfactants may be nonionic, anionic or cationic in nature. Examples of useful types of surfactants include, but are not limited to the following: alcohol ethoxylates, alcohol ethoxylate carboxylate, amine oxides, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfate, sulfonates, quaternary ammonium compounds, alkyl sacsines, betaines and alkyl amides. The foaming surfactants can be mixed at the time of use with washing solution. At the levels of the foaming agent use solution it is from about 50 ppm to about 2.0% by weight. At the time of use, compressed air may be injected into the mixture, then applied to the surface of the poultry products through a foam application device such as a skimmer tank or a suction skimmer mounted on the wall.

Gel Treatment for Poultry In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the poultry products can be treated with a thickened or gelled version of the composition. In the thickened or gelled state the wash solution remains in contact with the surface of the poultry products for longer periods of time, and thereby increasing the antimicrobial efficacy. The thickened or gelled solution will also adhere to the vertical surfaces. The composition or washing solution can be thickened or gelled using existing technologies such as: xanthan gum, polymeric thickeners, cellulose thickeners or the like. Bar micelle-forming systems such as amine oxides and anionic counterions can also be used. The thickeners or agents formed from gel can be used either in the concentrated product or by mixing with the washing solution at the time of use. Typical use levels of thickeners or gelling agents range from about 100 ppm to about 10% by weight.

Light Treatment for Poultry In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the poultry products may be exposed to activating light source (or other electromagnetic radiation) following the application of wash solution. The activating light (or other electromagnetic radiation) can improve the antimicrobial efficacy of the wash solution. The light can be ultraviolet light, infrared light, visible light, or a combination thereof. Other forms of electromagnetic radiation include radar waves and microwaves.

Water Processing for Washing Poultry Washing poultry can use large volumes of water, or another carrier. Water for flushing poultry can be used more than once (recycled), provided that the water can be treated in such a way that it does not transfer unwanted microbes to the poultry that is to be washed with the recycled water from washed. One way to prevent the transfer of these unwanted microbes is to reduce the microbial load of the recycled wash water by adding a mixture of peroxycarboxylic acids. For example, if the fluid to be recycled is water based and lacks any peroxycarboxylic acid, a concentrated medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition can be added resulting in an effective antimicrobial concentration of peroxycarboxylic acid in the fluid to be recycled. Alternatively, if the fluid to be recycled already includes or has included a peroxycarboxylic acid, an added medium-chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition can be added to increase the concentration of peroxycarboxylic acid to an effective antimicrobial level. It may be that the peroxycarboxylic acid in the solution to be recycled has been totally depleted in which case more of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition is added. In some circumstances, the water that is going to be recycled includes a substantial load of organic matter or microbes. If this is the case, the water will be inadequate for recycling. However, if the water is to be recycled, the operator adds a sufficient amount of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition to provide an effective antimicrobial amount of peroxycarboxylic acid after a certain amount is consumed by the organic load or microbes already present. . In this way, the recycled fluid can be used with an antimicrobial effect. Routine tests can be used to determine levels of peroxycarboxylic acid, or organic load. In each case, the method of recycling the poultry washing water includes recovering the poultry washing water, adding a composition including medium chain peroxycarboxylic acids, and reusing the poultry washing water. of farmyard for the washing of poultry, for example, as previously described. The flushing water of the poultry can be recovered from the poultry processing steps including scalding by immersion, plucking rinsing, flushing the bird from the inside out, flushing, and submersion cooling. The methods for recovering the wash water from these steps are known to those experienced in the washing of poultry and / or processing techniques. The wash water can also be cast, filtered, diluted, or otherwise cleaned and processed during recycling. In one embodiment, water (eg, the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition) that has been used to wash the poultry can be recovered and recycled to wash poultry or the apparatus or plant used to transport or process poultry. In this mode, the water can be treated in such a way that it does not transfer unwanted microbes to the poultry, the apparatus, or the plants that are washed with the recycled washing water. The non-transfer of unwanted microbes can be completed using a recycled composition that is free of pathogenic microorganisms, that is free of fecal coliform organisms, or free of both. Non-transfer of unwanted microbes may include reducing the contamination (eg, physical, chemical, or microbiological contamination) of the recycled composition to prevent adulteration of the product. Non-transfer of unwanted microbes may include reduction of contamination (eg, physical contamination), chemical or microbiological) of the recycled composition to prevent contamination or adulteration of the product. The water can be treated by adding a concentrated medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition, filtering or straining the water, and / or treating it with light. The method for recycling the poultry washing water therefore includes the reuse of the poultry washing water for washing poultry, for example, as previously described. In one embodiment, the method for recycling water from flushing poultry (eg, the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition) includes the use of wash water recovered from one or more washing procedures in a previous washing procedure in the processing of poultry. For example, the present method may include the recovery of wash water from poultry cooling by immersion; water treatment; and the use of treated water in at least one of scalding by submerging, flushing, flushing the bird from the inside out, and flushing. For example, the present method may include the recovery of wash water from flushing poultry; water treatment; and the use of water treated in at least one of scalding by submerging, flushing plucking, washing birds from the inside out. For example, the present method may include the recovery of wash water from poultry washing poultry from the inside out; water treatment; and the use of treated water in at least one of blanching by submersion, and plucking rinsing. For example, the present method may include the recovery of flushing water from flushing fowl poultry; water treatment; and using water treated in scalded by submersion. In one embodiment, the method of recycling poultry washing water (eg, the deposition of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid) includes the use of wash water recovered from one or more washing procedures for washing appliances in the processing of poultry, plants or parts of the plant itself (eg, floors, walls, exterior pavement, or the like). For example, the present method may include recovering water from flushing of poultry from at least one scalded by submersion, plucking rinse, flushing of poultry from the inside out, flushing, and submersion cooling; water treatment; and the use of treated water for washing processing equipment. For example, the present method may include recovering poultry washing water from at least one of scalding by submersion, plucking rinse, flushing of poultry from the inside out, flushing, and submersion cooling; water treatment; and the use of treated water to wash a portion of the processing plant, such as a floor, a wall, or exterior pavement. For example, the present method may include recovering poultry wash water from at least one of scalding by submersion, plucking rinse, flushing of poultry from the inside out, flushing, and submersion cooling; the water treatment; and the use of water treated for the washing of vans or cages, for example, those in which poultry were transported to the plant. For example, in the present method may include the recovery of poultry washing water from at least one of scalding by immersion, plucking rinsing, flushing of poultry from the inside out, rinsing by dew, and chilling by submersion; the water treatment; and the use of treated water to wash the poultry entering the plant.

Test Methods for Reducing the Microbial Population in Poultry The spray application of an antimicrobial composition of the invention can be tested and shown to significantly reduce contamination by pathogenic bacteria in samples of poultry carcasses. Channel samples can be contaminated with, for example, Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 13311, Escherichia coli Serotype O157: H7 ATCC 43895, or Listeria monocytogenes (Petite Scott A) ATCC 49594. The identities of these bacteria can be confirmed based on the reactions of Gram stain, microscopic morphology and growth characteristics using appropriate selective medium. These strains can be grown in culture, by conventional techniques, and adjusted to produce, for example, > 107 colony forming units per milliliter (CFU / mL). Channel samples can be prepared by inoculating the exterior of a thawed piece of chicken skin with an adequate volume of pathogen culture. The leather box can be pressed to form a bowl, and allowing the culture to be placed in this bowl, for example, 5 minutes to allow the adherence of the bacteria. After adhesion, the culture of the skin sample can be removed and each sample can be placed on a metal support, with the epidermal / inoculated side up. The skin sample can therefore be sprayed with an antimicrobial composition. For use, the composition can be diluted to, for example, 200 ± 10 ppm of the total medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. Samples of poultry carcasses can be sprayed with the composition for, for example, 15 seconds at 4,218 kg / cm 2 and room temperature. After spraying, the skin samples can be removed aseptically and placed inside the solution that includes the agent that inactivates peroxycarboxylic acids without killing bacteria. The remaining bacteria can be suspended by vortex and can be placed in the form of plates and serial dilutions of this solution for the growth of the bacteria. Dilutions can be prepared using dilution water with phosphate pH regulator (PBDW). The plates of S. typhimurium and L. monocytogenes can be incubated at 37 ° C for 48 hours. The plates of E. coli O157: H7 can be incubated at 37 ° C for 24 hours. For each sample, the number of colony forming units per skin box can be calculated. Analysis of the numbers of bacteria in the skin samples can demonstrate that the spray applications of the antimicrobial composition of the invention significantly reduce the levels of, for example, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes. The application of submersion of an antimicrobial composition of the invention can be tested and show a significant reduction in contamination by bacterial pathogens in samples of poultry carcasses. The bacteria can be selected and cultured generally as previously described, except that the bacteria can be diluted, for example, > 106 colony forming units per milliliter (CFU / mL) to inoculate channel samples. Channel samples can be prepared by thawing wings and frozen chicken livers. Thawed samples can be inoculated by immersing them in bacteria suspension. Other surfaces may not be inoculated. The inoculated surface can be marked for identification and allowed to drain and left for 5 minutes at room temperature. The antimicrobial composition can be as previously described. The use solution can be diluted to, for example, 30 ppm of total medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. The antimicrobial agent can be applied by immersing the inoculated and non-inoculated surfaces, for example, for 60 minutes in the same 2 liters of a solution using the antimicrobial agent at 4 ° C. The same experiment can be carried out using water without the antimicrobial agent. After submerging, the inoculated and non-inoculated surfaces can be removed from the solution of use of the antimicrobial agent or water and stirred gently in a solution that includes an agent that inactivates the peroxycarboxylic acids without killing the bacteria. To remove and analyze the inoculated surfaces it may be necessary to measure the cross-contamination of bacteria from the inoculated surfaces. Serial dilutions of this solution can be placed in the form of plates for the growth of bacteria as previously described in Example 2. The logarithm of the cross-contamination reduction can be calculated already being the logarithm of the number of bacteria on non-inoculated surfaces submerged in the antimicrobial use solution of the logarithm of a number of surviving bacteria from non-inoculated surfaces submerged in water. Analysis of the number of bacteria in channel samples can demonstrate that the application of submersion of the antimicrobial composition of the invention significantly reduces the levels of, for example, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes. The medium chain waterborne peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial compositions can be used for spraying or submerging in diseased chicken carcasses and can provide a reduction of, for example, total aerobic bacteria, coliform bacteria, and Escherichia coli. The fresh collected chicken carcasses can be sprayed or submersed in an antimicrobial composition previously described. The solutions for use, the dew time and pressure, and the submersion temperature and the duration can be as previously described. Some channels can be either sprayed or submerged. The control channels can be untreated.

Each channel can therefore be placed in a collection bag using freshly placed gloves. In the bag, the channel can be rinsed with Butterfield Phosphate Diluent (BPD) and the BPD solution can be collected for microbiology testing. Known standard procedures, for quantifying, for example, total aerobic bacteria, coliform bacteria, and Escherichia coli may be employed. The analysis of the numbers of bacteria in the channel samples can demonstrate that the spray, the submersion, and the application of a combination of the antimicrobial composition of the inversion significantly reduces the levels of, for example, total aerobic bacteria, coliform bacteria, and Escherichia coli.

Medium Chain Peroxycarboxylic Acid Antimicrobial Compositions The present invention includes medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositions. The present medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositions may include increased levels of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compared to conventional peroxycarboxylic acid compositions. Inventive compositions may include medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid and a solubilizer. The solubilizer can increase or maintain the solubility of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. The present medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositions can include a microemulsion or a surfactant that can be formed into a microemulsion. The present medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositions do not necessarily include substantial amounts of short chain carboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof. It is believed that, in conventional mixed peroxycarboxylic acid compositions, the short chain carboxylic acid, the short chain peroxycarboxylic acid or mixtures thereof can solubilize the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. In one embodiment, the present compositions include medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. These compositions may also include the medium chain carboxylic acid. Such compositions may advantageously include high levels of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. In one embodiment, the present compositions include about 2 or more parts by weight of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid per 7 parts by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid. In one embodiment, the present compositions include about 2 or more parts by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid per 6 parts by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid. In one embodiment, the present composition includes about 2 or more parts by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid per 5 parts by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid. In one embodiment, the present composition includes about 2 or more parts by weight of peroxycarboxylic acid per 4 parts by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid. In one embodiment, the present composition includes about 2 parts by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid per 3 parts by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid. In one embodiment, the present compositions include medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid and a solubilizer. The solubilizer can include a solvent, a surfactant, or a mixture thereof. Suitable solvents include any of a variety of solvents that solubilize and do not significantly degrade the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. In certain embodiments, suitable solvents include polyalkylene oxide, polyalkylene oxide blocked at its terminus, or mixtures thereof, or the like. Suitable solvents include nonionic surfactants, such as an alkoxylated surfactant. Suitable alkoxylated surfactants include, for example, an EO / PO copolymer, a copolymer blocked at its EO / PO end, alcohol alkoxylate., alcohol alkoxylate blocked at its end, mixtures thereof or the like. When a surfactant, such as a nonionic surfactant, is used as a solvent, it may be at higher concentrations than those conventionally employed. The solubilizer may include the surfactant (e.g., a microemulsion-forming surfactant). Suitable surfactants include anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, mixtures thereof, or the like. The solubilizer may include a microemulsion forming surfactant. Suitable microemulsion forming surfactants include anionic surfactants, such as a sulfate surfactant, a sulfonate surfactant, a phosphate surfactant (a phosphate ester surfactant), and a carboxylate surfactant, mixtures thereof, or the like. In one embodiment, the present composition does not necessarily include substantial amounts of short chain peroxycarboxylic acid. For example, the present compositions may be free of added short chain peroxycarboxylic acid. As used herein, "free of aggregate materials" refers to a composition that includes the material only as an incidental quantity or small portions found, for example, as an impurity ingredient of another ingredient designated or incidentally generated from a minor side reaction. . In one embodiment, the present composition includes only a small relative amount of short chain peroxycarboxylic acid. For example, the present composition may include about 1 or more parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid per 8 parts of short chain carboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof. For example, the present composition may include short chain peroxycarboxylic acid at an insufficient level to cause offensive odor to a typical person.

In certain embodiments, the present composition does not include substantial amounts of peroxyacetic acid, is free of added peroxyacetic acid, includes about 1 or more parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid per 8 parts of peroxyacetic acid, or includes peroxyacetic acid at an insufficient level to cause offensive odor to a typical person. In one embodiment, the present composition does not necessarily include substantial amounts of short chain carboxylic acid. For example, the present composition may be free of added short chain carboxylic acid. In one embodiment, the present composition includes only relatively small amounts of short chain carboxylic acid. By way of further example, the present composition may include about 1 or more parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid per 8 parts of short chain carboxylic acid. For example, the present composition may include short chain carboxylic acid at an insufficient level to cause offensive odor to a typical person. In certain embodiments, the present composition does not include substantial amounts of acetic acid, is free of added acetic acid, includes about 1 or more parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid per 8 parts of acetic acid, or includes acetic acid at an insufficient level to cause offensive odor to a typical person. In certain embodiments, the present composition includes, for example, less than 10% by weight, less than 5% by weight, less than 2% by weight, or less than 1% by weight of acetic acid. In certain embodiments, the present use compositions include, for example, less than 40 ppm, less than 20 ppm, less than 10 ppm, or less than 5 ppm acetic acid. In one embodiment, the present composition does not necessarily include substantial amounts of short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, short chain carboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof. For example, the present compositions may be free of short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, short chain carboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof. For example, the present composition may include short chain carboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof at an insufficient level to cause an offensive odor to a typical person. In certain embodiments, the present compositions do not include substantial amounts of acetic acid, peroxyacetic acid, or mixtures thereof; it is free of acetic acid, peroxyacetic acid, or mixtures of the same aggregates; includes about 1 or more parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid per 8 parts of acetic acid, peroxyacetic acid, or mixtures thereof; or includes acetic acid, peroxyacetic acid, or mixtures thereof at an insufficient level to cause an offensive odor to a typical person. In one embodiment, the present composition includes about 1 or more parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid per 8 parts of short chain carboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the present composition includes about 1 or more parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid per 7 parts of short chain carboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the present composition includes about 1 or more parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid per 6 parts of short chain carboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the present composition includes about 1 or more parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid per 5 parts of short chain carboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the present composition includes about 1 or more parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid per 4 parts of short chain carboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the present composition includes about 1 or more parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid per 3 parts of short chain carboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the present composition includes about 1 or more parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid per 2 parts of short chain carboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the present composition includes about 1 or more parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid for each part of short chain carboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the present composition has a less unpleasant odor than (e.g., measured by a hedonic tone rating) 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 wt% acetic acid in water. In one embodiment, the present composition has a less unpleasant odor than (e.g., measured by a hedonic tone rating) 5% by weight acetic acid in water. In one embodiment, the present composition has a less unpleasant odor than (e.g., measured by a hedonic tone rating) 4% by weight acetic acid in water. In one embodiment, the present composition has a less unpleasant odor than (e.g., measured by a hedonic tone rating) 3% by weight acetic acid in water. In one embodiment, the present composition has a less unpleasant odor than (e.g., measured by a hedonic tone rating) 2% by weight acetic acid in water. In one embodiment, the present composition has an odor with a less unpleasant odor than (for example, measured by a hedonic tone rating) 1% by weight acetic acid in water. In certain embodiments, the present composition includes one or more (eg, at least one) of oxidizing agents, acidulants, stabilizing agents, mixtures thereof, or the like. The present composition can include any of a variety of oxidizing agents, for example, hydrogen peroxide. The oxidizing agent can be effective to convert medium chain carboxylic acid to a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. The oxidizing agent may also have antimicrobial activity, although a sufficient concentration may not be present to exhibit this activity. The present composition can include any of a variety of acidulants, for example, an inorganic acid. The acidulant can be effective to bring the pH of the present concentrated composition to less than 1, or to bring the pH of the present use composition to about 5 or below, about 4 or below, or about 3 or below. The acidulant can increase the antimicrobial activity of the present composition. The present composition can include any of a variety of stabilizing agents, for example, scavenger, for example, phosphonate scavenger. The hijacker can be effective in stabilizing the peroxycarboxylic acid. In one embodiment, the present composition advantageously exhibits stability of the peroxycarboxylic acid. It is believed that in about one year at room temperature ambient conditions (or 1 week at 60 ° C) the amount of peroxycarboxylic acid in the compositions may be about 80% or more, about 85% or more, about 90% or more , or about 95% or more of the initial values of the levels of the use composition / Such aged compositions are included within the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, the present composition advantageously exhibits efficacy compared to other antimicrobial compositions at the same active level. In certain embodiments, the present composition has reduced or reduced volatile organic compounds compared to conventional peroxycarboxylic acid compositions. In a modality, the present composition has a higher flash point compared with conventional peroxycarboxylic acid compositions. In one embodiment, the present composition exhibits improved operator or user safety compared to conventional peroxycarboxylic acid compositions. In one embodiment, the present composition exhibits improved storage or transportation safety compared to conventional peroxycarboxylic acid compositions. In a certain embodiment, the present composition includes about 0.0005 to about 5% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, about 0.3 to about 7% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of peroxycarboxylic acid of medium chain, about 0.5 to about 4% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, about 0.8 to about 3% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, about 1 to about 3% by weight medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, about 1 to about 2% by weight medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. The composition can include any of these margins or amounts not modified by approximately. In certain embodiments, the present composition includes about 0.O01 to about 8% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid, about 1 to about 10% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid, about 1 to about 8% by weight of acid medium chain carboxylic acid, about 1.5 to about 6% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid, about 2 to about 8% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid, about 2 to about 6% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid, about 2 to about 4% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid, about 2.5 to about 5% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid, about 3 to about 6% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid, or about 3 to about 5% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid. The composition can include any of these margins or amounts not modified by approximately. In certain embodiments, the present composition includes from about 0 to about 98% by weight of the carrier, from about 0.001 to about 99.99% by weight of the carrier, from about 0.2 to about 60% by weight of the carrier, from about 1 to about 98% by weight of the carrier. carrier, about 5 to about 99.99% by weight of the carrier, about 5 to about 97% by weight of the carrier, about 5 to about 90% by weight of the carrier, about 5 to about 70% by weight of the carrier, about 5 to about 20% by weight of the carrier, about 10 to about 90% by weight of the carrier, about 10 to about 80% by weight of the carrier, about 10 to about 50% by weight of the carrier, about 10 to about 20% by weight of the carrier , about 15 to about 70% by weight of the carrier, about 15 to about 80% by weight n Weight of the carrier, approximately 20 to approximately 70% by weight of the carrier, approximately 20 to approximately 50% by weight of the carrier, approximately 20 to approximately 40% by weight of the carrier, approximately 20 to approximately 30% by weight of the carrier, approximately 30 to about 75% by weight of the carrier, about 30 to about 70% by weight of the carrier, about 40 to about 99.99% by weight of the carrier, about 40 to about 90% by weight of the carrier, or about 60 to about 70% in weight of the carrier. The composition can include any of these margins or amounts not modified by approximately. In certain modalities, the present composition includes about 0.001 to about 80% by weight of solubilizer, about 0.001 to about 60% by weight of solubilizer, about 1 to about 80% by weight of solubilizer, about 1 to about 25% by weight of solubilizer, about 1 to about 20% by weight of solubilizer, about 2 to about 70% by weight of solubilizer, about 2 to about 60% by weight of solubilizer, about 2 to about 20% by weight of solubilizer, about 3 to about 65% by weight weight of solubilizer, about 3 to about 15% by weight of solubilizer, about 4 to about 10% by weight of solubilizer, about 4 to about 20% by weight of solubilizer, about 5 to about 70% by weight of solubilizer, about to about 60% by weight of solubilizer, approximately 5 to about 20% by weight of solubilizer, about 10 to about 70% by weight of solubilizer, about 10 to about 65% by weight of solubilizer, about 10 to about 20% by weight of solubilizer, about 20 to about 60% by weight of solubilizer, or about 40 to about 60% by weight of solubilizer. The present composition can include any of these margins or amounts not modified by approximately. In certain embodiments, the present composition includes from about 0.001 to about 30% by weight of oxidizing agent, about 0.001 to about 10% by weight of oxidizing agent, 0.002 to about 10% by weight of oxidizing agent, about 2 to about 30% by weight. weight of oxidizing agent, about 2 to about 25% by weight of oxidizing agent, about 2 to about 20% by weight of oxidizing agent, about 4 to about 20% by weight of oxidizing agent, about 5 to about 10% by weight of oxidizing agent, or about 6 to about 10% by weight of oxidizing agent. The composition can include any of these margins or amounts not modified by approximately. In certain embodiments, the present composition includes from about 0.001 to about 50% by weight of acidifier, from about 0.001 to about 30% by weight of acidifier, from about 1 to about 50% by weight of acidifier, from about 1 to about 30% by weight of acidulant, about 2 to about 40% by weight of acidulant, about 2 to about 10% by weight of acidulant, about 3 to about 40% by weight of acidulant, about 5 to about 40% by weight of acidulant, about 5 to about 25% by weight of acidulant, about 10 to about 40% by weight of acidulant, about 10 to about 30% by weight of acidulant, about 15 to about 35% by weight of acidulant, about 15 to about 30% by weight of acidulant , or about 40 to about 60% by weight acidulant. The composition can include any of these margins or amounts not modified by approximately. In certain embodiments, the present composition includes from about 0.001 to about 50% by weight of stabilizing agent, from about 0.001 to about 5% by weight of stabilizing agent, from about 0.5 to about 50% by weight of stabilizing agent, from about 1 to about 50%. by weight of stabilizing agent, from about 1 to about 30% by weight of stabilizing agent, from about 1 to about 10% by weight of stabilizing agent, from about 1 to about 5% by weight of stabilizing agent, from about 1 to about 3% by weight of stabilizing agent, about 2 to about 10% by weight of stabilizing agent, about 2 to about 5% by weight of stabilizing agent, or about 5 to about 15% by weight of stabilizing agent. The composition can include any of these margins or amounts not modified by approximately.

Compositions of Carboxylic Acids and / or Medium Chain Peroxycarboxylic Acids Peroxycarboxylic (or percarboxylic) acids generally have the formula R (C03H) n, wherein, for example, R is an alkyl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, aromatic, or heterocyclic group, and n is one, two or three, and is named by the prefix of the source acid with peroxy. The R group can be saturated or unsaturated, as well as substituted and unsubstituted. The composition and methods of the invention can employ medium chain peroxycarboxylic acids containing, for example, from 6 to 12 carbon atoms. For example, the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acids (or percarboxylic acids) may have the formula R (C03H) n, wherein R is an alkyl group of 5 to 11 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group of 5 to 11 carbon atoms, arylalkyl group of 5 to 11 carbon atoms, an aryl group of 5 to 11 carbon atoms, or a heterocyclic group of 5 to 11 carbon atoms; and n is one, two or three. Peroxycarboxylic acids can be made through the direct action of an oxidizing agent on a carboxylic acid, through self-oxidation of aldehydes, or acid chlorides, and hydrides or carboxylic anhydrides with hydrogen peroxide or sodium. In one embodiment, the medium chain percarboxylic acids can be made through the direct catalyzed acid equilibrium action of hydrogen peroxide in the medium chain carboxylic acid. Scheme 1 illustrates a balance between the carboxylic acid and the oxidizing agent (Ox) on one side, and peroxycarboxylic acid and the reduced oxidizing agent (Oxred) on the other: RCOOH + Ox D RCOOOH + Oxred (1) Scheme 2 illustrates an embodiment of scheme 1 in equilibrium, wherein the oxidizing agent is hydrogen peroxide on one side and the peroxycarboxylic acid and water on the other: RCOOH + H2O2 D RCOOOH + H20 (2) In conventional mixed peroxycarboxylic acid compositions, it is believed that the equilibrium constant for the reaction illustrated in scheme 2 is about 2.5, which may reflect the equilibrium for acetic acid. Although not limiting to the present invention, it is believed that the compositions herein have an equilibrium constant of about 4. Peroxycarboxylic acids useful in the compositions and methods of the present invention include peroxypentanoic, peroxyhexanoic, peroxyheptanoic, peroxyoctanoic, peroxynonanoic acid, peroxydecanoic, peroxyundecanoic, peroxydecanoic, peroxyascorbic, peroxyadipic, peroxycitric, peroxypimelic, or peroxysuberic, mixtures thereof, or the like. The alkyl base structures of these medium chain peroxycarboxylic acids may be straight chain, branched, or a mixture thereof. Peroxy forms of carboxylic acids with more than one carboxylate moiety may have one or more (for example, at least one) of the carboxyl moieties present as peroxycarboxyl moieties. Peroxyoctanoic acid (or peroctanoic acid) is a peroxycarboxylic acid having the formula, for example, of n-peroxyoctanoic acid: CH3 (CH2) 6COOOH. The peroxyoctanoic acid may be an acid with a straight chain alkyl moiety, an acid with a branched alkyl moiety, or a mixture thereof. Peroxioctanoic acid is an active on the surface and can help wet hydrophobic surfaces, such as those of microbes. The composition of the present invention may include a carboxylic acid. In general, carboxylic acids have the formula R-COOH wherein R can represent any number of different groups, including aliphatic groups, alicyclic groups, aromatic groups, heterocyclic groups, all of these may be saturated or unsaturated as well as substituted or unsubstituted. The carboxylic acids may have one, two, three, or more carboxyl groups. The composition and methods of the invention typically employ medium chain carboxylic acids containing, for example, from 6 to 12 carbon atoms. For example, the medium chain carboxylic acids may have the formula R-COOH wherein R may be an alkyl group of 5 to 11 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group of 5 to 11 carbon atoms, an arylalkyl group of 5 to 11 carbon atoms, an aryl group of 5 to 11 carbon atoms, or a heterocyclic group of 5 to 11 carbon atoms. Suitable medium chain carboxylic acids include pentanoic, hexanoic, heptanoic, octanoic, nonanoic, decanoic, undecanoic, dodecanoic, ascorbic, citric, adipic, pimelic, and suberic acid. The alkyl base structures of these medium chain carboxylic acids may be straight chain, branched, or a mixture thereof. The carboxylic acids which are generally useful are those having one or two carboxyl groups, wherein the R group is a primary chain having a length of 4 to 11 carbon atoms. The primary alkyl chain is the carbon chain of the molecule that has the largest length of carbon atoms and directly adjoins carboxyl functional groups. The compositions and methods herein include a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. The medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid may include or may be a peroxycarboxylic acid of 6 to 12 carbon atoms. The peroxycarboxylic acid of 6 to 12 carbon atoms may include or be a peroxyhexanoic acid, peroxyheptanoic acid, peroxyoctanoic acid, peroxynonoanonic acid, peroxydecanoic acid, peroxyundecanoic acid, peroxydodecanoic acid, or mixtures thereof. The medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid may include or be a peroxycarboxylic acid of 7 to 12 carbon atoms. The peroxycarboxylic acid of 7 to 12 carbon atoms may include or be peroxyheptanoic acid, peroxioctanoic acid, peroxynonoanic acid, peroxydecanoic acid, peroxyundecanoic acid, peroxydodecanoic acid, or mixtures thereof. The medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid may include or be a peroxycarboxylic acid of 6 to 10 carbon atoms. The peroxycarboxylic acid of 6 to 10 carbon atoms may include either a peroxyhexanoic acid, peroxyheptanoic acid, peroxyoctanoic acid, peroxynanoanic acid, peroxydecanoic acid, or mixtures thereof. The medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid may include or be a peroxycarboxylic acid of 8 to 10 carbon atoms. The peroxycarboxylic acid of 8 to 10 carbon atoms can include or be a peroxyoctanoic acid, peroxynonanoaic acid, peroxydecanoic acid, or mixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, the medium chain peroxyoctanoic acid includes or is peroxioctanoic acid, peroxydecanoic acid, or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid includes or is peroxioctanoic acid. In certain embodiments, the composition herein includes from about 0.0005 to about 5% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, from about 0.3 to about 7% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, from about 0.5 to about 5% by weight. weight of chain-average peroxycarboxylic acid, from about 0.5 to about 4% by weight of medium-chain peroxycarboxylic acid, from about 0.8 to about 3% by weight of medium-chain peroxycarboxylic acid, from about 1 to about 3% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or from about 1 to about 2% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. The composition may include any of these scales or amounts not modified by approximately. In one embodiment, the compositions and methods herein include a medium chain carboxylic acid. The medium chain carboxylic acid can include or be a carboxylic acid of 6 to 12 carbon atoms. The carboxylic acid of 6 to 12 carbon atoms may include or be hexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, undecanoic acid, dodecanoic acid, or mixtures thereof. The medium chain carboxylic acid may include or be a carboxylic acid of 7 to 12 carbon atoms. The carboxylic acid of 7 to 12 carbon atoms may include or be heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, undecanoic acid, dodecanoic acid, or mixtures thereof. The medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid may include or be a carboxylic acid of 6 to 10 carbon atoms. The carboxylic acid of 6 to 10 carbon atoms can include or be a hexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, or mixtures thereof. The medium chain carboxylic acid may include or be a carboxylic acid of 8 to 10 carbon atoms. The carboxylic acid of 8 to 10 carbon atoms can include or be octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, or mixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, the medium chain carboxylic acid includes or is octanoic acid, decanoic acid, or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the medium chain carboxylic acid includes or is octanoic acid. In certain embodiments, the composition herein includes from about 0.001 to about 8% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid, from about 1 to about 10% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid, from about 1 to about 8% by weight. medium chain carboxylic acid weight, from about 1.5 to about 6% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid, from about 2 to about 8% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid, from about 2 to about 6% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid, from about 2 to about 4% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid, from about 2.5 to about 5% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid, from about 3 to about 6% by weight of carboxylic acid of medium chain, or from about 3 to about 5% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid. The composition may include any of these scales or amounts not modified by approximately. In one embodiment, the compositions and methods include a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid and the corresponding medium chain carboxylic acid. In one embodiment, the composition herein includes an amount of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid effective to kill one or more (eg, at least one) of the pathogenic bacteria carried in the food, associated with a food product, such as Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella javiana, Campylobacter jejuni, Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli 0157: H7, yeast, mold, and the like. In one embodiment, the composition herein includes an effective amount of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid to kill one or more (eg, at least one) of the pathogenic bacteria associated with a surface and environment for health care, such as Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella choleraesurus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, microbacteria, yeast, mold, and the like. The compositions and methods of the present invention have activity against a wide variety of microorganisms such as Gram positive bacteria (e.g., Listeria monocytogenes or Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram negative (e.g., Escherichia coli or Pseudomonas aeruginosa), yeast, mold, spores bacterial, viruses, etc. The compositions and methods of the present invention, as described above, have activity against a wide variety of human pathogens. The compositions and methods herein can kill a wide variety of microorganisms on a food processing surface, on the surface of a food product, in water used to wash or process the food product, on a surface for health care, or in an environment for health care.

The embodiments of the present invention include medium chain carboxylic acid and medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, and certain embodiments specifically exclude short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, short chain carboxylic acid, or a mixture thereof. However, embodiments of the compositions herein may include short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, short chain carboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof. The addition of short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, short chain carboxylic acid, or a mixture thereof to a composition is not intended to necessarily have a composition that is outside the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Solubilizers The compositions herein can include a solubilizer. The present invention relates to solubilizers for medium chain carboxylic acids and medium chain peroxycarboxylic acids. In one embodiment, the solubilizer can increase or maintain the solubility in the composition of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid or the medium chain carboxylic acid. The compositions and methods herein may include any of a variety of suitable solubilizers. For example, the solubilizer can include a solvent, a surfactant, or a mixture thereof. In one embodiment, the surfactant can be used as a solvent. In one embodiment, the surfactant can form a microemulsion. In one embodiment, the composition including the solubilizer herein, takes the form of a gel or viscoelastic liquid. In one embodiment, the solubilizer is effective to dissolve the octanoic acid at a concentration of 5% by weight in water. In one embodiment, the solubilizer is effective to dissolve the octanoic acid at a concentration of 4% by weight in water. In one embodiment, the solubilizer is effective to dissolve the octanoic acid at a concentration of 3% by weight in water. In one embodiment, the solubilizer is effective to dissolve the octanoic acid at a concentration of 2% by weight in water. In certain embodiments, the composition herein includes from about 0.001 to about 80% by weight of solubilizer, from about 0.001 to about 60% by weight of solubilizer, from about 1 to about 80% by weight of solubilizer, from about 1 to about 25% by weight of solubilizer, from about 1 to about 20% by weight of. solubilizer, from about 2 to about 70% by weight of solubilizer, from about 2 to about 60% by weight of solubilizer, from about 2 to about 20% by weight of solubilizer, from about 3 to about 65% by weight of solubilizer, from about 3 to about 15% by weight of solubilizer, from about 4 to about 10% by weight of solubilizer, from about 4 to about 20% by weight of solubilizer, from about 5 to about 70% by weight of solubilizer, of about 5 to about 60% by weight of solubilizer, from about 5 to about 20% by weight of solubilizer, from about 10 to about 70% by weight of solubilizer, from about 10 to about 65% by weight of solubilizer, from about 10 to about about 20% by weight of solubilizer, from about 20 to about 60% by weight of solubilizer, or of approximate 40 to about 60% by weight of solubilizer. The composition can include any of these scales or amounts not modified by approximation.

Solubilizers of Solvents and Compositions Including Them In one embodiment, the compositions and methods herein may include as solubilizer one or more (for example, at least one) solvents. Suitable solvents include any of a variety of solvents that solubilize, but do not significantly degrade, the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. Suitable solvents include polyalkylene oxide, polyalkylene oxide blocked at its end, glycol ether, nonionic surfactant, mixtures thereof, or the like. In one embodiment, the composition herein includes a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; medium chain carboxylic acid; A vehicle; and polyalkylene oxide, polyalkylene oxide blocked at its end, nonionic surfactant, or a mixture thereof. For example, the composition herein may include from about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; from about 1 to about 10% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid; from about 1 to about 98% by weight of the vehicle; and from about 1 to about 80% by weight polyalkylene oxide, polyalkylene oxide blocked at its end, nonionic surfactant, or mixtures thereof. For example, the composition herein may include from about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; from about 1 to about 10% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid; from about 5 to about 35% by weight of the vehicle; and from about 20 to about 65% by weight polyalkylene oxide, polyalkylene oxide blocked at its end, nonionic surfactant, or mixtures thereof. For example, the composition herein may include from about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; from about 1 to about 10% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid; from about 10 to about 35% by weight of the vehicle; and from about 40 to about 60% by weight of polyalkylene oxide, polyalkylene oxide blocked at its end, nonionic surfactant, or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the composition herein includes a solvent solubilizer and less than or equal to 35% by weight of a vehicle (e.g., water). The composition may include any of these scales or amounts not modified by approximately. In one embodiment, the composition herein includes C8 peroxycarboxylic acid; C8 carboxylic acid; Water; and polyalkylene oxide, polyalkylene oxide blocked at its end, nonionic surfactant, or mixtures thereof. For example, the composition herein can include from about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of C8 peroxycarboxylic acid; from about 1 to about 10% by weight of C8 carboxylic acid; from about 1 to about 98% by weight of water; and from about 1 to about 80% by weight polyalkylene oxide, polyalkylene oxide blocked at its end, nonionic surfactant, or mixtures thereof. For example, the composition herein may include from about 0.5 to about 5% by weight peroxycarboxylic acid of 8 carbon atoms; from about 1 to about 10% by weight of carboxylic acid of 8 carbon atoms; from about 5 to about 35% by weight of water; and from about 20 to about 65% by weight of polyalkylene oxide, polyalkylene oxide blocked at its end, nonionic surfactant, or a mixture thereof.

For example, the composition herein may include from about 0.5 to about 5% by weight peroxycarboxylic acid of 8 carbon atoms; from about 1 to about 10% by weight of carboxylic acid of 8 carbon atoms; from about 10 to about 35% by weight of water; and from about 40 to about 60% by weight of polyalkylene oxide, polyalkylene oxide blocked at its end, nonionic surfactant, or a mixture thereof. The composition may include any of these scales or amounts not modified by approximately. In certain embodiments, the composition herein includes from about 0.001 to about 80% by weight of the solvent as a solubilizer, from about 0.001 to about 60% by weight of the solvent as a solubilizer, from about 1 to about 80% by weight of the solvent as solubilizer, from about 5 to about 70% by weight of the solvent as a solubilizer, from about 10 to about 65% by weight of the solvent as a solubilizer, or from about 20 to about 60% by weight of the solvent as a solubilizer. The composition may include any of these scales or amounts not modified by approximately. In one embodiment, when the compositions and methods herein include a solvent as a solubilizer, they need not include a significant amount, or even none at all, of a short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, a short chain carboxylic acid, or a mixture thereof. same. Examples of short chain carboxylic acids include formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butanoic acid. Short chain carboxylic acids and peroxycarboxylic acids include those with 4 or fewer carbon atoms. In one embodiment, the compositions and methods herein including a solvent as a solubilizer need not include substantial amounts of short chain peroxycarboxylic acid. In one embodiment, the compositions and methods herein that include a solvent as a solubilizer may be free of added short chain peroxycarboxylic acid. In one embodiment, the compositions and methods herein including a solvent as a solubilizer may include medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid in a higher ratio compared to the short chain peroxycarboxylic acid than that found in conventional compositions. For example, the compositions and methods herein may include a solvent as a solubilizer and about 1 or more parts of medium-chain peroxycarboxylic acid per 8 parts of short chain carboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or a mixture thereof. For example, the compositions and methods herein can include a solvent such as solubilizer and short chain carboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or a mixture thereof, at an insufficient level to cause an offensive odor to a typical person Polyalkylene Oxide Solubilizers Suitable polyalkylene oxides include polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polybutylene glycol, and mixtures thereof, or the like. Suitable end-blocked polyalkylene oxides include monoalkyl and dialkyl ethers of the respective polyalkylene oxides, such as polyalkylene glycol mono- and di-methyl ethers, polyalkylene glycol mono- and di-ethyl ethers, mono- and di-methyl ethers. - polyalkylene glycol propyl, polyalkylene glycol mono- and di-butyl ethers, and mixtures thereof, or the like. Suitable blocked ends of polyalkylene oxides include methyl polyethylene glycol (for example, polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether), dimethyl polyethylene glycol (for example, polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether), mixtures thereof, or the like.

Glycol Ether Solubilizers Suitable solvent solubilizers include glycol ethers. Suitable glycol ethers include diethylene glycol n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol n-propyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol t-butyl ether, propylene diglycol n-butyl ether, ether dipropylenic glycol diethyl, dipropylenic glycol ethyl ether, dipropylenic glycol propyl ether, dipropylenic glycol tert-butyl ether, ethylene glycol butyl ether, ethylene glycol propyl ether, ethylene glycol ethyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether, acetate of ethylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycol ethyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, tripropylenic glycol methyl ether and tripropylenic glycol n-butyl ether, ether ethylene glycol phenyl (commercially available as DOWANOL EPH ™ from Dow Chemical Co.), propylene glycol phenyl ether (commercially available from DOWANOL PPH ™ from Dow Chemical Co.), and the like, or mixtures thereof. Additional suitable commercially available glycol ethers (all available from Union Carbide Corp.) include Butoxyethyl PROPASOL ™, Butyl Acetate CARBITOL ™, Butyl CARBITOL ™, Butyl Acetate CELLOSOLVE ™, Butyl CELLOSOLVE ™, Butyl DIPROPASOL ™, Butyl PROPASOL ™ , CARBITOL ™ PM-600, CARBITOL ™ Low Gravity, CELLOSOLVE ™, CELLOSOLVE ™, Ester EEP ™, FILMER IBT ™, Hexyl CARBITOL ™, Hexil CELLOSOLVE ™, Methyl CARBITOL ™, Methyl CEKKISIKVE ™, Methyl CELLOSOLVE ™, Methyl DIPROPASOL ™, Methyl PROPASOL ™, Methyl PROPASOL, Propyl CARBITOL ™, Propyl CELLOSOLVE, Propyl DIPROPASOL and Propyl PROPASOL.

Nonionic Surfactants Nonionic surfactants suitable for use as solvents include alkoxylated surfactants. Suitable alkoxylated surfactants include copolymers of EO / PO, EO / PO copolymers blocked at their terminus, alcohol alkoxylates, alcohol alkoxylates blocked at their ends, mixtures thereof, or the like. Suitable alkoxylated surfactants for use as solvents include EO / PO block copolymer, such as the inverse Pluronic and Pluronic surfactants; alcohol alkoxylates, such as Dehypon LS-54 (R- (EO) 5 (PO) 4) and Dehypon LS-36 3 (R- (EO) 3 (PO) 6); and alcohol alkoxylates blocked at their end, such as Plurafac LF221 and Tegoten EC11; mixtures thereof, or the like. When employed as a solvent, a surfactant, such as a nonionic surfactant, may be at higher concentrations than those conventionally employed as a surface active agent.

Non-ionic Semi-Polar Surfactants The semi-polar type of active agents on the non-ionic surface is another class of nonionic surfactant useful in the compositions of the present invention. Semi-polar nonionic surfactants include amine oxides, phosphine oxides, sulfoxides and their alkoxylated derivatives. The amine oxides are tertiary amine oxides corresponding to the general formula: wherein the arrow is a conventional representation of a semi-polar link; and R1, R2, and R3 may be aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic, alicyclic, or combinations thereof. In general, for the amine oxides of detergent interest, R1 is an alkyl radical of about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms; R2 and R3 are alkyl or hydroxyalkyl of 1-3 carbon atoms or a mixture thereof; R2 and R3 may be linked together, for example, through an oxygen or nitrogen atom, to form a ring structure; R 4 is an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene group containing 2 to 3 carbon atoms; and n ranges from 0 to about 20. Useful water-soluble amine oxide surfactants are selected from octyl oxides, decyl, dodecyl, isododecyl, coconut, or tallow alkyl di- (to lower alkyl) amine, specific examples of which are octal oxide dimethylamine, nonildimethylamine oxide, decyldimethylamine oxide, undecyldimethylamine oxide, dodecyldimethylamine oxide, oxide of iso-dodecyldimethylamine, tridecyldimethylamine oxide, tetradecyldimethylamine oxide, pentadecyldimethylamine oxide, hexadecyldimethylamine oxide, heptadecyldimethylamine oxide, octadecyldimethylamine oxide, dodecyldipropylamine oxide, tetradecyldipropylamine oxide, hexadecyldipropylamine oxide, tetradecyldibutylamine oxide, octadecyldibutylamine oxide, bis (2-hydroxyethyl) dodecylamine, bis (2-hydroxyethyl) -3-dodecoxy-1-hydroxypropylamine oxide, dimethyl- (2-hydroxydecyl) amine oxide, 3,6,9-trioctadecyldimethylamine oxide and 3-dodekoxy-2-oxide hydroxypropyl- (2-hydroxyethyl) amine.

Surface-active Agent Solubilizers and Compositions Including In one embodiment, the compositions and methods herein may include as solubilizer one or more (eg, at least one) surfactants, for example, a microemulsion-forming surfactant. Suitable surfactants include anionic surfactant, cationic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant, mixtures thereof, or the like. Suitable microemulsion forming surfactants include anionic surfactant, cationic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant, mixtures thereof, or the like. Suitable microemulsion forming surfactants include an anionic surfactant. A microemulsion forming surfactant can form a microemulsion in a composition that includes a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, a medium chain carboxylic acid, or a mixture thereof. In one embodiment, the composition herein includes microemulsion. In one embodiment, the composition herein can be determined as a microemulsion by testing the composition to make a viscoelastic shear thinning fluid or gel having a blue-blue appearance. Although not limited to the present invention, the tendal blue appearance is believed to indicate a heterogeneous system of a small, suspended dispersion (e.g., a microemulsion), which is effective to diffuse blue light. In one embodiment, the composition of the present can be determined as a microemulsion by testing the ability to form a physically stable composition at different concentrations of surfactant solubilizer. A microemulsion can produce a curve with a maximum of physical stability at a concentration with unstable compositions at higher and lower concentrations. Typically, solvent mixtures of surfactants (eg, acetic acid and surfactant) do not form microemulsions. In one embodiment, the composition that includes a surfactant solubilizer solubilizer is in the form of a gel or viscoelastic liquid. By increasing the concentration of the medium chain carboxylic acid, medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof, the degree to which the composition is a gel or viscoelastic liquid can be increased. By increasing the concentration of the surfactant solubilizer, the degree to which the composition is a gel or viscoelastic liquid can be increased. In one embodiment, the gel can be viscoelastic enough to maintain its molded shapes. An alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactant (e.g., LAS) may be employed to form a gel or viscoelastic liquid that can maintain its molded shape. In one embodiment, the alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactant containing a viscoelastic gel can maintain its shape even at 60 ° C. Although not limited to the present invention, the compositions herein can include medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid sequestered in the surfactant of the microemulsion. This can stabilize peroxycarboxylic acid by keeping it away from impurities or reducing agents in bulk water. This can increase the production of peroxycarboxylic acid by removing it from the solution. Although not limited to the present invention, it is believed that an explanation for the viscoelastic properties of the gels of the compositions herein is that they revert to repulsive forces between the dispersions / droplets that are stabilized by the microemulsion-forming surfactant. Tensoactive agents that are charged can increase electrostatic repulsion. Suitable charged surfactants include anionic surfactants. In one embodiment, the composition of the present invention includes anionic surfactant and other surfactant agents or agents.

For example, the compositions herein may include an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant or semi-polar nonionic surfactant. In one embodiment, the composition herein includes medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; medium chain carboxylic acid; A vehicle; and one or more (for example, at least one) surfactants, for example, surfactant microemulsion forming agents. For example, the composition herein may include from about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; from about 1 to about 10% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid; from about 5 to about 97% by weight of vehicle; and from about 1 to about 20% by weight of surfactant, for example, microemulsion-forming surfactant. For example, the composition herein may include from about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; from about 1 to about 10% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid; from about 15 to about 80% by weight of vehicle; and from about 1 to about 20% by weight of surfactant, for example, a microemulsion-forming surfactant. For example, the composition herein may include from about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; from about 1 to about 10% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid; from about 30 to about 70% by weight of vehicle; and from about 2 to about 20% by weight of surfactant, for example, a microemulsion-forming surfactant. In one embodiment, the composition herein includes a surfactant or a microemulsifier-forming solubilizer and more than or equal to 35% by weight of the vehicle (eg, water). The composition may include any of these scales or amounts not modified by approximately. In one embodiment, the composition herein includes C8 peroxycarboxylic acid; C8 carboxylic acid; Water; and one or more (for example, at least one) surfactants, for example, surfactant microemulsion forming agents. For example, the composition herein can include from about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of C8 peroxycarboxylic acid; from about 1 to about 10% by weight of C8 carboxylic acid; from about 5 to about 97% by weight of water; and from about 1 to about 20% by weight of surfactant, for example, a microemulsion-forming surfactant. For example, the composition herein can include from about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of C8 peroxycarboxylic acid; from about 1 to about 10% by weight of C8 carboxylic acid; from about 15 to about 80% by weight of water; and from about 1 to about 20% by weight of surfactant, for example, a microemulsion-forming surfactant. For example, the composition herein can include from about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of C8 peroxycarboxylic acid; from about 1 to about 10% by weight of C8 carboxylic acid; from about 30 to about 70% by weight of water; and from about 2 to about 20% by weight of surfactant, for example, a microemulsion-forming surfactant. The composition may include any of these scales or amounts not modified by approximately. In certain embodiments, the composition herein includes from about 0.001 to about 60% by weight surfactant, for example, a microemulsion-forming surfactant, as a solubilizer, from about 1 to about 25% by weight surfactant, example, a microemulsion-forming surfactant, as a solubilizer, from about 1 to about 20% by weight surfactant, for example, a microemulsion-forming surfactant, as a solubilizer, from about 2 to about 20% by weight surfactant, for example, a surface-active agent forming of microemulsion, as a solubilizer, of from about 3 to about 15% by weight of surfactant, for example, a microemulsion-forming surfactant, as a solubilizer, from about 4 to about 20% by weight of surfactant, for example, an agent microemulsion forming surfactant, as a solubilizer, of from about 4 to about 10% by weight surfactant, for example, a microemulsion-forming surfactant, as a solubilizer, of from about 5 to about 20% by weight surfactant, for example, a surfactant forming microemulsion agent, as a solubilizer, or from about 10 to about 20% by weight of surfactant, for example, a surfactant microemulsion-forming agent, as a solubilizer. The composition may include any of these scales or amounts not modified by approximately.

Anionic Surfactants The composition herein may include an anionic surfactant as a solubilizer. Suitable anionic surfactants include an organic sulfonate surfactant, organic sulfate surfactant, phosphate ester surfactant, carboxylate surfactant, mixtures thereof, or the like. In one embodiment, the anionic surfactant includes alkyl sulfonate, alkylaryl sulfonate, alkylated diphenyl oxide disulfonate, alkylated naphthalene sulphonate, alkoxylate carboxylate alcohol, sarcosinate, taurate, acyl amino acid, alkanoic ester, phosphate ester of sulfuric acid in the form of a salt or acid of it, or a mixture thereof. The particular salts will be conveniently selected depending on the particular formulation and the needs. Suitable anionic surfactants include sulfonic acids (and salts), such as isethionates (eg, acyl isethionates), alkylarylsulphonic acids and their salts, alkyl sulfonates, secondary alkenyl sulphonates, and the like. Examples of suitable synthetic water soluble anionic detergent compounds include the ammonium and substituted ammonium salts (such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine) and alkali metal salts (such as sodium, lithium and potassium) of the mononuclear aromatic alkyl sulfonates such as the alkyl benzene sulphonates having from about 5 to about 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group in a straight or branched chain, for example, the alkyl benzene sulphonate or alkyl toluene, xylene, cumene and phenol sulphonate salts; alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, diamylon naphthalene sulfonate, and dinonyl naphthalene sulfonate and alkoxylated derivatives or their free acids. Suitable sulfonates include olefin sulfonates, such as long-chain alloy sulfonates, long-chain hydroxyalkane sulfonates or mixtures of alean sulfonates and hydroxyalkane sulphonates. Suitable sulfonates include secondary alean sulfonates. In certain embodiments, the compositions herein, which include an anionic surfactant, such as a normal C8 sulfonate, may be foamless or low foaming compositions. Said compositions can be advantageous for applications such as cleaning in place, fret washing machine, spotting, cleaning, washing machine, stain removal and cleaning, etc. For applications where foaming is desired, a foaming agent may be added as part of the composition herein or separately. In a two step offering, a foaming agent can be combined with a dilution of the composition without foam or low foaming to form a foaming use solution. In a one-step offering, the foaming agent can be incorporated into the concentrated composition. A suitable foaming agent is LAS acid. The LAS acid can form a microemulsion in the compositions herein. The LAS acid can form a gel or viscoelastic liquid in the compositions herein. Additional suitable foaming agents include secondary alean sulfonate, alkylated diphenyl oxide sulfonate (for example, C12 alkyl diphenyl oxide disulfonate), alkyl ether sulfate (for example, with n = 1-3) (eg, sodium laureth sulfate ( with n = 1, 2, or 3)), sodium lauryl sulfate, or the like. In one embodiment, said foaming agents provide a foaming composition with one or more desirable foaming characteristics. Desirable foaming characteristics include, for example, the foam which is visible for about 5 minutes after forming the foam; foam with continuous and good drainage (for example, when applied to a vertical surface); foam that dries to a transparent appearance, for example, that leaves no visible residue on a stainless steel surface; and / or the foam that can be applied with a moderate or low odor compared to a conventional foam containing peroxyacetic acid. Suitable anionic sulfate surfactants for use in the compositions herein include alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfates, the linear and branched alkyl primary and secondary alkyl sulphates, alkyl ethoxy sulfates, oleyl glycerol sulphates, alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulphates, the C5-C17 acyl-N- (C1-C4 alkyl) and -N- (hydroxyalkyl C1-C2) glucamine sulfates, and alkyl polysaccharide sulfates such as alkyl polyglucoside sulfates, and the like. Also included are the alkyl sulphates, alkyl poly (ethyleneoxy) ether sulphates and aromatic poly (ethyleneoxy) sulfates, such as the sulfates or condensation products of ethylene oxide and nonyl phenol (usually having from 1 to 6 oxyethylene groups per molecule). Suitable anionic carboxylate surfactants for use in the compositions herein include carboxylic acids (and salts), such as alkanoic acids (and alkanoates), ester carboxylic acids (e.g., alkyl succinates), ether carboxylic acids, and Similar. Such carboxylates include alkyl ethoxy carboxylates, alkyarylolethoxy carboxylates, alkyl polyethoxy polycarboxylate, surfactants, and soaps (eg, alkyl carboxyls). Secondary carboxylates useful in the compositions herein include those containing a carboxyl unit connected to a secondary carbon. The secondary carbon may be in a ring structure, for example, as in p-octyl benzoic acid, or as in alkyl-substituted cyclohexyl carboxylates. The secondary carboxylate surfactants typically do not contain ether linkages, ester linkages, or hydroxyl groups. In addition, they typically lack nitrogen atoms in the header group (amphiphilic portion). Secondary soap surfactants typically contain 11-13 carbon atoms in total, although more carbon atoms (eg, up to 16) may be present. Suitable carboxylates also include acylamino acids (and salts), such as acylglutamates, acyl peptides, sarcosinates (e.g., N-acyl sarcosinates), taurates (e.g., N-acyl taurates and fatty acid amides of methyl tauride), and Similar. Suitable anionic surfactants include alkyl or alkylarylethoxy carboxylates of Formula 3: R - O - (CH 2 CH 2 O) n (CH 2) m - CO2X (3) wherein R is an alkyl group of 8 to 22 carbon atoms or ^^, wherein R1 is an alkyl group of 4 to 16 carbon atoms; n is an integer of 1-20; m is an integer of 1-3; and X is a counter ion, such as hydrogen, sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, or an amine salt such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine or triethanolamine. In one embodiment, in Formula 3, n is an integer from 4 to 10 and m is 1. In one embodiment, in Formula 3, R is an alkyl group of 8 to 16 carbon atoms. In one embodiment, in Formula 3, R is an alkyl group of 12 to 14 carbon atoms, n is 4, and m is 1.

In one embodiment, in Formula 3, R is ^^ and R 'is an alkyl group of 6 to 12 carbon atoms. In one embodiment, in Formula 3, R1 is an alkyl group of 9 carbon atoms, n is 10 and m is 1. Said alkyl and Iq uilari letoxy carboxylates are commercially available. These ethoxy carboxylates are typically available as the acid forms, which can be easily converted to the anionic form or salt. Commercially available carboxylates include, Neodox 23-4, an alkyl acid of 12 to 13 carbon atoms polyethoxy (4) carboxylic (Shell Chemical), and Emcol CNP-110, an alkylaryl acid of C9 polyethoxy (10) carboxylic (Witco Chemical ). The carboxylates are also available from Clariant, for example, the product Sandopan® DTC, an alkyl acid of 13 carbon atoms polyethoxy (7) carboxylic acid.

Amphoteric Surfactants Amphoteric surfactants, or ampholytic agents, contain a hydrophilic group, both basic and acid, and an organic hydrophobic group. These ionic entities may be any of the anionic or cationic groups described herein for other types of surfactants. A basic nitrogen and an acid carboxylate group are the typical functional groups employed as the basic hydrophilic and acidic groups. In some surfactants, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphonate or phosphate provide the negative charge. Amphoteric surfactants can be broadly described as derivatives of secondary and tertiary aliphatic amines, wherein the aliphatic radical can be straight or branched chain and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms and one contains a anionic water solubilizing group, for example, carboxy, sulfo, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphono. Amphoteric surfactants can be subdivided into two main classes known to those skilled in the art and described in "Surfactant Encyclopedia" Cosmetics &Toiletries, Vol. 104 (2) 69-71 (1989). The first class includes acyl / dialkyl ethylenediamine derivatives (e.g., 2-alkyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline derivatives) and their salts. The second class includes N-alkylamino acids and their salts, some amphoteric surfactants can be contemplated as being adjusted in both classes. Amphoteric surfactants can be synthesized by methods known to those skilled in the art. For example, 2-alkyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline is synthesized through a condensation and ring closure of a long chain carboxylic acid (or a derivative) with dialkyl ethylenediamine. Commercial amphoteric surfactants are derivatized through subsequent hydrolysis at the ring opening of the imidazoline via alkylation, for example with chloroacetic acid or ethyl acetate. During the alkylation, one or two carboxy-alkyls reacts to form a tertiary amine and an ether bond with different alkylating agents producing different tertiary amines. The long chain imidazoline derivatives having application in the present invention generally have the general formula: (MONO) ACETATE (DI) PROPIONATE SULFONATO ANFOTERICO pH Neutral - Zwiterion wherein R is an acyclic hydrophobic group containing from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms and M is a cation to neutralize the charge of the anion, generally sodium. Amphoteric commercially prominent imidazoline derivatives that can be employed in the compositions herein include, for example: cocoanfopropionate, cocoanfocarboxypropionate, cocoanfoglycinate, cocoanfocarboxyglycinate, cocoanopropyl sulfonate, and cocoanfocarboxypropionic acid. The amphocarboxylic acids can be produced from fatty imidazolines, wherein the functionality of the dicarboxylic acid of the amphodicarboxylic acid is diacetic acid and / or dipropionic acid. The carboxymethylated compounds (glycinates) described herein above are frequently referred to as betaines. The botainas are a special class of amphotericites discussed later in the section entitled, Zwiterións Tensoactivos Agents. The N-alkyl long chain amino acids are easily prepared through the reaction of RNH2, wherein R = straight or branched chain alkyl of 8 to 18 carbon atoms, fatty amines with halogenated carboxylic acids. Alkylation of the primary amino groups of an amino acid leads to secondary and tertiary amines. The alkyl substituents may have additional amino groups that provide more than one center of reactive nitrogen. The most commercial N-alkylamine acids are alkyl derivatives of beta-alanine or beta-N (2-carboxyethyl) alanine. Examples of commercial N-amino acid ampholytes having application in this invention include alkyl beta-amino dipropionates, RN (C2H4COOM) 2 and RNHC2H4COOM. In one embodiment, R may be an acyclic hydrophobic group containing from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, and M is a cation to neutralize the charge of the anion. Suitable amphoteric surfactants include those derived from coconut products, such as coconut oil or coconut fatty acid. Additional suitable coconut-derived surfactants include as part of their structure, a portion of ethylenediamine, an alkanolamide portion, an amino acid portion, eg, glycine, or a combination thereof; and an aliphatic substituent of about 8 to 18 (e.g., 12) carbon atoms. Said surface active agent can also be considered as an alkyl amphipicarboxylic acid. These amphoteric surfactants can include chemical structures represented as: C12-alkyl-C (O) -NH-CH2-CH2-N + (CH2-CH2-CO2Na) 2-CH2-CH2-OH or C12-alkyl-C (O ) -N (H) -CH2-CH2-N + (CH2- CO2Na) 2-CH2-CH2-OH. Disodium dipropionate cocoanphate is a suitable amphoteric surfactant, and is commercially available under the tradename Miranol ™ FBS from Rhodia Inc., Cranbury, N.J. Another amphoteric agent surfactant derived from coconut suitable with the chemical name of coconut disodium amphododiacetate, is sold under the tradename Mirataine ™ JCHA, also from Rhodia Inc., Cranbury, N.J. A typical list of amphoteric classes, and species of these surfactants, is provided in the U.S. Patent. No. 3,929,678 issued to Laughiin and Heuring on December 30, 1975. Other examples are provided in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch).

Zwitterionic Surfactants Zwitterionic surfactants can be considered as a subgroup of amphoteric surfactants and can include an anionic charge. Zwitterionic surfactants can be broadly described as secondary and tertiary amine derivatives, derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines, or derived from quaternary ammonium, quaternary phosphonium compounds and tertiary sulfonium. Typically, a zwitterionic surfactant includes a positively charged quaternary ammonium or, in some cases, a sulfonium or phosphonium ion; a carboxyl group of negative charge; and an alkyl group. Zwitterionic surfactants generally contain cationic and anionic groups, which ionize to an almost equal degree in the isoelectric region of the molecule and which can develop a strong "inner salt" attraction between the positive and negative charge centers. Examples of such zwitterionic synthetic surfactants include derivatives of aliphatic, phosphonium and sulfonium quaternary ammonium compounds, wherein the aliphatic radicals can be straight or branched chain, and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from 8 to 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic water solubilizing group, for example, carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate. The betaine and sultaine surfactants are illustrative zwitterionic surfactants for use herein. A general formula of these compounds is: wherein R 1 contains an alkyl, alkenyl, or hydroxyalkyl radical of 8 to 18 carbon atoms, having from 0 to 10 portions of ethylene oxide and 0 to 1 glyceryl; And it is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur atoms; R2 is an alkyl or monohydroxyalkyl group, containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms; x is 1 when Y is a sulfur atom and 2 when Y is a nitrogen or phosphorus atom, R3 is an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene or hydroxyalkylene of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and Z is a radical selected from the group consisting of groups carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphonate, and phosphate. Examples of zwitterionic surfactants having the structures listed above include: 4- [N, N-di (2-h idroxyethyl) -N-octadecylammonium] -butan-1-carboxylate; 5- [S-3-h id roxi prop i l- S- exadecil sulfonium] -3-h id roxi penta n-1-sulfate; 3- [P, P-diethyl-P-3,6,9-trloxatetracosanphosphonium] -2-hydroxypropane-1-phosphate; 3- [N, N-d i p rop i I- N -3-d odecoxy-2-hydroxy prop i I ammonium] propan- 1 -f osf ato; 3- (N, N-d i methyl-N-hexadecylammonium) -propan-1-sulfonate; 3- (N, N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonio) -2-hydroxy-propan-1-sulfonate; 4- [N, N-di (2 (2-hyd roxy and il) -N (2-h idroxy dodecyl) ammonium or] butan-1-carboxylate; 3- [S-ethyl-S- (3-dodecoxy -2-hydroxypropyl) sulfonium] propan-1-phosphate; 3- [P, P-dimethyl-P-dodecylphospho- or o] -propan-1-phosphonate; and S [N, N-di (3-hydroxypropyl) -N -hexadecylammonium] -2-hydroxy-pentan-1-sulfate The alkyl groups contained in said detergent surfactants can be straight or branched and saturated or unsaturated The zwitterionic surfactant suitable for use in the compositions herein includes a botaina of the general structure: These surface active agent betaines typically do not exhibit strong cationic or anionic characters at extreme pH values or show reduced water solubility on their isoelectric scale. Unlike "external" quaternary ammonium salts, betaines are compatible with anionics. Examples of suitable betaines include coconut acylamidopropyl dimethyl betaine; hexadecyl dimethyl betaine; acylamidopropyl betaine of 12 to 14 carbon atoms; acylamidohexyldiethyl betaine of 8 to 14 carbon atoms; 4-acylmethylamidodiethylammonium ~ 1-carboxybutane of 14 to 6 carbon atoms; acylamidodimethylbetaine of 16 to 18 carbon atoms; acylamidopentanediethylbetaine of 12-16 carbon atoms; and acylmethylamidodimethylbetaine of 12 to 16 carbon atoms. Sultains useful in the present invention include those compounds having the formula (R (R1) 2N + R2SO3", wherein R is a hydrocarbyl group of 6 to 18 carbon atoms, each R1 typically independently is alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, for example, methyl, and R2 is a hydrocarbyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, for example, an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, a typical list of zwitterionic classes, and species of these surfactants can be found in the US Patent No. 3,929, 678 issued to Laughiin and Heuring on December 30, 1975. Other examples are provided in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I and II by Schwarz, Perry and Berch). In one embodiment, the composition of the present invention includes a betaine. For example, the composition may include cocoamidopropyl betaine.

Modes of the Compositions Some examples of representative constituent concentrations for the embodiments of the compositions herein can be found in Tables A-C, in which the values are given in% / weight of the ingredients with reference to the total weight of the composition. In certain modalities, the proportions and quantities in Tables A-C can be modified by "approximately".

Table A Table B Table C Some examples of representative constituent concentrations for additional embodiments of the compositions herein can be found in Tables D-F, where the values are given in% / weight of the ingredients with reference to the total weight of the composition. In certain modalities, they are provided and quantities in Tables D-F can be modified by "approximately".

Table D Table E Table F In one embodiment, the compositions of the present invention include only ingredients that can be used in food products or in food washing, food handling or processing, for example, in accordance with government regulations (e.g., FDA or USDA) and the regulations 21 CFR §170-178. In one embodiment, the compositions of the present invention may include only ingredients at the appropriate concentrations for contact with incidental food by USEPA, 40 CFR §180.940. The compositions herein may take the form of a liquid, solid, gel, paste, unit dose, gel pack, or the like. The compositions herein can be supplied in any of a variety of containers or medium, such as in a 2-compartment dispenser or as a pre-moistened towel, rag, or sponge.

Vehicle The composition of the invention may also include a vehicle. The vehicle provides a means that dissolves, suspends or carries the other components of the composition. For example, the vehicle can provide a means for the solubilization, suspension or production of the peroxycarboxylic acid and for the formation of an equilibrium mixture. The vehicle may also function to supply and moisten the antimicrobial composition of the invention in an object. Up to this point, the vehicle can contain any component or components that can facilitate these functions. In general, the vehicle mainly includes water that can promote solubility and work as a means for reaction and balance. The vehicle may include or be primarily an organic solvent, such as simple alkyl alcohols, for example, ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, and the like. The polyols are also useful carriers, including glycerol, sorbitol, and the like. Suitable carriers include glycol ethers. Suitable glycol ethers include diethylene glycol n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol n-propyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol t-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, ether dipropynic glycol methyl, dipropylenic glycol ethyl ether, dipropylenic glycol propyl ether, dipropylenic glycol tertiary butyl ether, ethylene glycol butyl ether, ethylene glycol propyl ether, ethylene glycol ethyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether, acetate of ethylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycol ethyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, tripropylenic glycol methyl ether and tripropylenic glycol n-butyl ether, ether ethylene glycol phenyl (commercially available as DOWANOL EPH ™ from Dow Chemical Co.), propylene glycol phenyl ether (commercially available as DOWANOL PPH ™ from Dow Chemical Co.), and the like, or mixtures thereof. Additional suitable commercially available glycol ethers (all available from Union Carbide Corp.) include Butoxyethyl PROPASOL ™, Butyl CARBITOL ™ acetate, Butyl CARBITOL ™, Butyl acetate CELLOSOLVE ™, Butyl CELLOSOLVE ™, Butyl DIPROPASOL ™, Butyl PROPASOL ™, CARBITOL ™ PM-600, CARBITOL ™ Low Gravity, CELLOSOLVE ™ acetate, 'CELLOSOLVE ™ Ester EEP ™, FILMER IBT ™, Hexyl CARBITOL ™, Hexil CELLOSOLVE ™,' Methyl CARBITOL, Methyl Acetate CELLOSOLVE, Methyl CELLOSOLVE ™, Methyl DIPROPASOL ™, Methyl acetate d'e Methyl PROPASOL ™, Methyl PROPASOL ™, Propyl CARBITOL ™, Propyl CELLOSOLVE ™, Propyl DIPROPASOL ™ and Propyl PROPASOL ™.

In certain embodiments, the vehicle forms a large portion of the composition of the invention and may be the remainder of the composition in addition to the active antimicrobial components, solubilizer, oxidizing agent, auxiliaries, and the like. Here again, the concentration and type of vehicle will depend on the nature of the composition as a whole, environmental storage, and method of application that includes medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid concentration, among other factors. Notably, the vehicle should be selected and used at a concentration that does not inhibit the antimicrobial efficacy of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid in the composition of the invention. In certain embodiments, the composition herein includes from about 0 to about 98% by weight of the vehicle, from about 0.001 to about 99.99% by weight of the vehicle, from about 0.2 to about 60% by weight of the vehicle, from about 1 to about about 98% by weight of the vehicle, from about 5 to about 99.99% by weight of the vehicle, from about 5 to about 97% by weight of the vehicle, from about 5 to about 90% by weight of the vehicle, from about 5 to about 70% by weight of the vehicle, from about 5 to about 20% by weight of the vehicle, from about 10 to about 90% by weight of the vehicle, from about 10 to about 80% by weight of the vehicle, from about 10 to about 50% by weight of the vehicle, from about 10 to about 20% by weight of the vehicle, from about 15 to about 70% by weight of the vehicle the vehicle, from about 15 to about 80% by weight of the vehicle, from about 20 to about 70% by weight of the vehicle, from about 20 to about 50% by weight of the vehicle, from about 20 to about 40% by weight of the vehicle, from about 20 to about 30% by weight of the vehicle, from about 30 to about 75% by weight of the vehicle, from about 30 to about 70% by weight of the vehicle, from about 40 to about 99.99% by weight of the vehicle, of about 40 to about 90% by weight of the vehicle, or from about 60 to about 70% by weight of the vehicle. The composition may include any of these scales or amounts not modified by approximately.

Oxidizing Agent The compositions and methods herein may include any of a variety of oxidizing agents. The oxidizing agent can be used to maintain or generate peroxycarboxylic acids.

Examples of inorganic oxidizing agents include the following types of compounds or sources of these compounds, or alkali metal salts which include these types of compounds, or which form an adduct therewith: hydrogen peroxide; oxidizing agents of group 1 (IA), for example lithium peroxide, sodium peroxide and the like; oxidizing agents of group 2 (HA), for example magnesium peroxide, calcium peroxide, strontium peroxide, barium peroxide, and the like; oxidizing agents of group 12 (IIB), for example zinc peroxide, and the like; oxidizing agents of group 13 (IIIA), for example boron compounds, such as perborates, for example sodium perborate hexahydrate of the formula Na2 [Br2 (O) 2 (OH)] »6H2O (also referred to as tetrahydrate-perborate of sodium and formerly written as NaBo3 «4H2O); sodium tetrahydrate peroxybrate of the formula Na2Br2 (O2) 2 [(OH) 4 »4H2O (also referred to as sodium perborate trihydrate, and formerly written as NaBO 3"3H 2 O); sodium peroxybrate of the formula Na2 [B2 (O2) 2 (OH) 4] (also referred to as sodium perborate monohydrate and formerly written as NaB03 «H2O); and the like; in one modality, perborate; oxidizing agents of group 14 (IVA), for example persilicates and peroxycarbonates, which are also called percarbonates, such as persilicates or alkali metal peroxycarbonates; and the like; in one embodiment, percarbonate; in one modality, persilicate; oxidizing agents of group 15 (VA), for example peroxynitroso acid and its salts; peroxyphosphoric acids and their salts, for example, perfosphates; and the like; in one embodiment, perfosfato; oxidizing agents of the group 16 (VIA), for example peroxysulfuric acids, such as peroxymonosulfuric and peroxydisulfuric acids, and their salts, such as persulfates, for example, sodium persulfate; and the like; in one modality, persulfate; oxidizing agents of the Vlla group such as sodium periodate, potassium perchlorate and the like. Other active inorganic oxygen compounds may include transition metal peroxide; and other peroxygen compounds and their mixtures. In one embodiment, the compositions and methods of the present invention employ one or more (for example, at least one) of the inorganic oxidizing agents listed above. Suitable inorganic oxidizing agents include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, a hydrogen peroxide adduct, group IIIA oxidizing agents, VIA group oxidizing agents, VA group oxidizing agents, group VI VI oxidation agents, or mixtures thereof. Suitable examples of said inorganic oxidizing agents include percarbonate, perborate, persulfate, perfosphate, persilicate, or mixtures thereof. Hydrogen peroxide presents a suitable example of an inorganic oxidizing agent. The hydrogen peroxide can be provided as a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water, for example, as liquid hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous solution. Hydrogen peroxide is commercially available at concentrations of 35%, 70%, and 90% in water. For security, 35% is commonly used. The compositions herein may include, for example, from about 2 to about 30% by weight or from about 5 to about 20% by weight of hydrogen peroxide. In one embodiment, the inorganic oxidizing agent includes a hydrogen peroxide adduct. For example, the inorganic oxidizing agent may include hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen peroxide adduct, or mixtures thereof. Any of a variety of hydrogen peroxide adducts is suitable for use in the compositions and methods herein. For example, suitable hydrogen peroxide adducts include percarbonate salt, urea peroxide, peracetyl borate, an adduct of H202 and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, sodium percarbonate, potassium percarbonate, and mixtures thereof, or the like. Suitable hydrogen peroxide adducts include percarbonate salt, urea peroxide, peracetyl borate, an adduct of H202 and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, or mixtures thereof. The hydrogen peroxide adducts include sodium percarbonate, potassium percarbonate, or mixtures thereof, for example sodium percarbonate. In one embodiment, the compositions and methods herein may include hydrogen peroxide as the oxidizing agent. The hydrogen peroxide in combination with the percarboxylic acid may provide some antimicrobial action against microorganisms. In addition, hydrogen peroxide can provide an effervescent action, which can irrigate any surface where it is applied. The hydrogen peroxide can lock with a mechanical washing action once applied that also cleans the surface of an object. An additional advantage of hydrogen peroxide is the food compatibility of this composition after use and decomposition. In certain embodiments, the composition herein includes from about 0.001 to about 30% by weight of oxidizing agent, from about 0.001 to about 10% by weight of oxidizing agent, from 0.002 to about 10% by weight of oxidizing agent, of about 2 to about 30% by weight of oxidizing agent, from about 2 to about 25% by weight of oxidizing agent, from about 2 to about 20% by weight of oxidizing agent, from about 4 to about 20% by weight of oxidizing agent, from about 5 to about 10% by weight of oxidizing agent, or from about 6 to about 10% by weight of oxidizing agent. The composition may include any of these scales or amounts not modified by approximately.

Acidulant In one embodiment, the composition herein may include an acidulant. The acidulant can act as a catalyst for the conversion of carboxylic acid to peroxycarboxylic acid. The acidulant can be effective to form a concentrate composition with a pH value of about 1 or less. The acidulant can be effective to form a use composition with a pH value of about 5, about 5 or less, about 4, about 4 or less, about 3, about 3 or less, about 2, about 2 or less, or Similar. In one embodiment, the acidulant includes an inorganic acid. Suitable inorganic acids include sulfuric acid, phosphonic acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, propanesulfonic acid, butanesulfonic acid, xylene sulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, and mixtures thereof, or the like. In one embodiment, the acidulant includes a carboxylic acid with a pKa of less than 4. Suitable carboxylic acids with a pKa of less than 4 include hydroxyacetic acid, hydroxypropionic acid, other hydroxycarboxylic acids, mixtures thereof, or the like. Said acidulant is present at a concentration where it does not act as a solubilizer. In certain embodiments, the composition herein includes from about 0.001 to about 50% by weight of acidulant, from about 0.001 to about 30% by weight of acidulant, from about 1 to about 50% by weight of acidulant, from about 1 to about about 30% by weight of acidulant, from about 2 to about 40% by weight of acidulant, from about 2 to about 10% by weight of acidulant, from about 3 to about 40% by weight of acidulant, from about 5 to about 40 % by weight of acidifier, from about 5 to about 25% by weight of acidifier, from about 10 to about 40% by weight of acidifier, from about 10 to about 30% by weight of acidifier, from about 15 to about 35% by weight acidulant weight, from about 15 to about 30% by weight of the acidulant, or from about 40 to about 60% by weight of acidula nte. The composition may include any of these scales or amounts not modified by approximately.

Stabilizing Agent One or more stabilizing agents can be added to the composition of the invention, for example, to stabilize the permeate and hydrogen peroxide and prevent premature oxidation of this constituent within the composition of the invention. Suitable stabilizing agents include chelating or sequestering agents. Suitable sequestering agents include organic chelating agents that sequester metal ions in solution, particularly transition metal ions. Such sequestering agents include amino- or hydroxy-polyphosphonic acid complex forming agents (either in acid or soluble salt forms), carboxylic acids (eg, polymeric polycarboxylate), hydroxycarboxylic acids, or aminocarboxylic acids. The sequestering agent can be or include phosphonic acid or phosphonate salt. Phosphonic acids and phosphonate salts include 1-hydroxy-ethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (CH3C (PO3H2) 2OH) (HEDP); ethylene diamine tetrakis methylene phosphonic acid (EDTMP); diethylenetriamine pentakis methylene phosphonic acid (DTPMP); cyclohexane-1,2-tetramethylene phosphonic acid; amino [tri (methylene phosphonic)] acid; (ethylene diamine acid [tetramethylene phosphonic acid]]; 2-fosfen butan-1, 2,4-tricarboxylic acid; or its salts, such as the alkali metal salts, the ammonium salts, or the alkylarylamine salts, such as mono, di, or tetra-ethanolamine salts; or its mixtures. Suitable organic phosphonates include HEDP. Commercially available food additive chelating agents include phosphonates sold under the trade name DEQUEST® including, for example, 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, available from Monsanto Industrial Chemicals Co., St. Louis, MO, as DEQUEST® 2010; amino acid (tri (methylene-phosphonic)), (N [CH2P03H2] 3), available from Monsanto as DEQUEST® 2000; ethylenediamine [tetra (methylene phosphonic)] acid available from Monsanto as DEQUEST® 2041; and 2-phosphonobutan-1, 2,4-tricarboxylic acid available from Mobay Chemical Corporation, Inorganic Chemicals Division, Pittsburgh, PA, as Bayhibit AM. The sequestering agent can be or include an aminocarboxylic type sequestering agent. Sequestrants of the appropriate aminocarboxylic acid type include the acids or alkali metal salts thereof, for example, amino acetates and their salts. Suitable aminocarboxylates include N-hydroxyethylaminodiacetic acid; hydroxyethylendiam and acetic notetra, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA); ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (HDTA) N-hydroxyethyl-ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA); diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA); and alanite-N, N-diacetic acid; and the like; and its mixtures. The sequestering agent can be or include a polycarboxylate. Suitable polycarboxylates include, for example, polyacrylic acid, maleic / olefin copolymer, acrylic / maleic copolymer, polymethacrylic acid, copolymers of acrylic acid-methacrylic acid, hydrolyzed polylacrylamide, hydrolyzed polymethacrylamide, hydrolyzed polyamide-methacrylamide copolymers, hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile, hydrolyzed polymethacrylonitrile , hydrolyzed acrylonitrile-methacrylonitrile copolymers, polymaleic acid, polyfumárico acid, copolymers of acrylic and itaconic acid, phosphite-polycarboxylate, acid and their salt forms, mixtures thereof, and the like. In certain embodiments, the composition herein includes from about 0.5 to about 50% by weight of the sequestering agent, from about 1 to about 50% by weight of the sequestering agent, from about 1 to about 30% by weight of the sequestering agent. Sequestration, from about 1 to about 15% by weight of the sequestering agent, from about 1 to about 5% by weight of the sequestering agent, from about 1 to about 4% by weight of the sequestering agent, from about 2 to about 10. % by weight of the sequestering agent, from about 2 to about 5% by weight of the sequestering agent, or from about 5 to about 15% by weight of the sequestering agent. The composition may include any of these scales or amounts not modified by approximately. In certain embodiments, the composition herein includes from about 0.001 to about 50% by weight of stabilizing agent, from about 0.001 to about 5% by weight of stabilizing agent, from about 0.5 to about 50% by weight of the stabilizing agent. stabilization, from about 1 to about 50% by weight of stabilizing agent, from about 1 to about 30% by weight of stabilizing agent, from about 1 to about 10% by weight of stabilizing agent, from about 1 to about 5 % by weight of stabilizing agent, from about 1 to about 3% by weight of stabilizing agent, from about 2 to about 10% by weight of stabilizing agent, from about 2 to about 5% by weight of stabilizing agent, or from about 5 to about 15% by weight of stabilizing agent. The composition may include any of these scales or amounts not modified by approximately.

Auxiliaries The antimicrobial composition of the invention can also include any number of auxiliaries. Specifically, the composition of the invention may include an antimicrobial solvent, antimicrobial agent, wetting agent, defoaming agent, thickener, surfactant, foaming agent, solidifying agent, cosmetic enhancement agent (ie, dye (e.g. pigment), deodorant or perfume), among any number of constituents that can be added to the composition. Said auxiliaries can be pre-formulated with the antimicrobial composition of the invention or added to the system simultaneously, or even after the addition of the antimicrobial composition. The composition of the invention may also contain any number of other constituents as needed by the application, which are known and facilitate the activity of the present invention.

Antimicrobial Solvent Any of a variety of solvents may be useful as an antimicrobial solvent in the compositions herein. An antimicrobial solvent can be added to the compositions of use before use. Suitable antimicrobial solvents include acetamidophenol; acetanilide; acetophenone; 2-acetyl-1-methylpyrrole; benzyl acetate; benzyl alcohol; Benzyl benzoate; benzyloxyethanol; essential oils (for example, benzaldehyde, pinenos, terpinoles, terpinenos, carbona, cinnamaldehyde, borneol and their esters, citrals, ionenes, jasmine oil, limonene, dipentene, linalool and their esters); diester dicarboxylates (e.g., dibasic esters) such as dimethyl adipate, dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate (including products available under the trade designations DBE, DBE-3, DBE-4, DBE-5, DBE-6, DBE -9, DBE-IB, and DBE-ME from DuPont Nylon), dimethyl malonate, diethyl adipate, diethyl succinate, diethyl glutarate, dibutyl succinate, and dibutyl glutarate; dimethyl sebacate, dimethyl pimelate, dimethyl suberate; dialkyl carbonates such as dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, dipropyl carbonate, diisopropyl carbonate, and dibutyl carbonate; organo-nitriles such as acetonitrile and benzonitrile; and phthalate esters such as dibutyl phthalate, diethylhexyl phthalate, and diethyl phthalate. Mixtures of antimicrobial solvents can be used, if desired. The antimicrobial solvent can be selected based on the characteristics of the surface and microbes to which the antimicrobial composition will be applied and the nature of any coating, soil or other material that will be in contact with the antimicrobial composition and optionally removed from the surface . Polar solvents, and solvents that are capable of hydrogen bonding, will typically work well on a variety of surfaces and microbes, and thus, for such applications, can be selected. In certain applications, the antimicrobial solvent may be selected from a high antimicrobial flash point (eg, greater than about 30 ° C, greater than about 50 ° C, or greater than about 100 ° C), low odor, and low toxicity to the human being and animals. In one embodiment, the antimicrobial solvent is compatible as an indirect or direct food additive or substance, especially those described in Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 21 - Food and Drugs, parts 170 to 186. the compositions of the invention must contain a sufficient antimicrobial solvent to provide the desired regimen and type of microbial reduction. The composition herein may include an effective amount of an antimicrobial solvent, such as from about 0.01% by weight to about 60% by weight of antimicrobial solvent, from about 0.05% by weight to about 15% by weight of antimicrobial solvent, or from about 0.08% by weight to about 5% by weight of antimicrobial solvent.

Additional Antimicrobial Agent The antimicrobial compositions compositions of the invention may contain an additional antimicrobial agent. An additional antimicrobial agent can be added to the compositions of use before use. Suitable antimicrobial agents include carboxylic esters (e.g., p-hydroxy alkyl benzoates and alkyl cinnamates), sulfonic acids (e.g., dodecylbenzene sulphonic acid), iodine compounds or active halogen compounds (e.g., elemental halogens, halogen oxides) , (for example, NaOCI, HOCI, HOBr, CI02), iodide, interhalogenides (for example, iodine monochloride, iodine bichloride, iodine trichloride, iodine tetrachloride, bromine chloride, iodine monobromide, or iodine dibromide) , polyhalogenides, hypochlorite salts, hypochlorous acid, hypobromite salts, hypobromous acid, chloro- and bromo-hydantoins, chlorine dioxide and sodium chlorite), organic peroxides including benzoyl peroxide, alkyl benzoyl peroxides, ozone, generators single band oxygen, and mixtures thereof, phenolic derivatives (eg, o-phenyl phenol, o-benzyl-p-chlorophenol, ter-amyl phenol and alkyl of 6 carbon atoms to hydroxyl) benzoates), quaternary ammonium compounds (eg, alkyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, diammonium chloride and ammonium chloride and mixtures thereof), and mixtures of said antimicrobial agents, in an amount sufficient to provide the desired degree of microbial protection.

The composition herein may include an effective amount of antimicrobial agent, such as from about 0.001 to about 60% by weight of the antimicrobial agent, from about 0.01% by weight to about 15% by weight of the antimicrobial agent, or about 0.08% by weight to about 2.5% by weight of the antimicrobial agent.

Wetting Agents or Defoamers Also useful in the composition of the invention are wetting and defoaming agents. The wetting agents function to increase the surface contact or penetration activity of the antimicrobial composition of the invention. Wetting agents, which may be used in the composition of the invention include any of those constituents known in the art to elevate the surface activity of the composition of the invention. In general, defoamers that can be used according to the invention, include silica and silicones; acids or aliphatic esters; alcohols; sulfates or sulphonates; amines or amides; halogenated compounds such as fluorochlorohydrocarbons; vegetable oils, waxes, mineral oils, as well as their sulfated derivatives; fatty acid soaps such as alkali metal and alkaline earth metal soaps; and phosphates and phosphate esters such as alkyl and alkaline diphosphates, and tributyl phosphates among others; and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment, the compositions herein may include anti-foaming agents or defoamers, which are of food grade quality given the application of the method of the invention. Up to this point, one of the most effective anti-foaming agents includes silicones. Silicones such as dimethyl silicone, polysiloxane glycol, methylphenol polysiloxane, trialkyl or tetralkyl silanes, hyperophobic silica defoamers, and mixtures thereof can all be used in defoaming applications. Commonly available commercial defoamers include silicones such as Ardefoam® from Armor Industrial Chemical Company, which is a silicone bonded in an organic emulsion; Foam Hill® or Kresseo® available from Krusable Chemical Company which are silicone and non-silicone type defoamers, as well as silicone esters; and Anti-Foam A® and DC-200 from Dow Corning Corporation, which are food-grade type silicones among others. These defoamers may be present at a concentration scale of about 0.01% by weight to 5% by weight, from about 0.01% by weight to 2% by weight, or from about 0.01% by weight to about 1% by weight.

Thickening or Geling Agents The compositions herein can include any of a variety of known thickeners. Suitable thickeners include natural gums such as xanthan gum, guar gum, or other plant mucilage gums; polysaccharide-based thickeners, such as alginates, starches, and cellulosic polymers (e.g., carboxymethylcellulose); polyacrylate thickeners; and hydrocolloid thickeners, such as pectin. In one embodiment, the thickener leaves no contamination residue on the surface of an object. For example, thickeners or gelling agents can be compatible with food or other sensitive products in contact areas. In general, the concentration of the thickener used in the compositions or methods herein will be dictated by the desired viscosity within the final composition. However, as a general guideline, the viscosity of the thickener within the composition herein ranges from about 0.1% by weight to about 1.5% by weight, from about 0.1% by weight to about 1.0% by weight, or about 0.1% by weight to about 0.5% by weight.

Solidification Agent The compositions herein may include a solidification agent, which may participate to maintain the compositions in a solid form. Suitable solidifying agents include a solid polyethylene glycol (PEG), an EO / PO solid block copolymer, and the like; an amide, such as stearic monoethanolamide, lauric diethanolamide, an alkylamide, or the like; starches that have been made soluble in water through an acid or alkaline treatment process; cellulose that have been made soluble in water; an inorganic agent, or the like; poly (maleic anhydride / methyl vinyl ether); polymethacrylic acid; other generally functional or inert materials with high melting points, and the like. In certain embodiments, the solidification agent includes solid PEG, for example PEG 1500 to PEG 20,000. In certain embodiments, the PEG includes PEG 1450, PEG 3350, PEG 4500, PEG 8000, PEG 20,000, and the like. Additional suitable solidification agents include EO / PO block copolymers such as those sold under the tradenames of Pluronic 108, Pluronic F68; amides such as lauric diethanolamide or cocodietilen amide; and similar. In certain embodiments, the solidifying agent includes a combination of solidifying agents, such as the combination of PEG and an EO / PO block copolymer (such as a Pluronic) and a combination of PEG and an amide (such as lauric diethanolamide). , amide or monoethanol stearic amide).

Fragrance In one embodiment, the composition herein includes a fragrance. The fragrance can be selected to avoid undesirable effects on the stability or efficacy of the composition. Suitable fragrances include amyl acetate, iso-bornyl acetate, and alkyl salicylates, such as methyl salicylate. In one embodiment, the fragrance may include an alkyl salicylate.

Additional Modes of the Middle Chain Peroxycarboxylic Acid Compositions The present invention relates to the compositions including medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, methods for making these compositions and methods for reducing the population of a microorganism. In certain embodiments, the compositions may include advantageously high levels of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, may be easily made, and / or may exhibit reduced odor. In one embodiment, the present compositions may include medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, medium chain carboxylic acid, carrier and solubilizer. In certain embodiments, the present compositions include approximately 2 or more parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid for each 7 parts of the medium chain carboxylic acid; about 2 or more parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid for each parts of medium chain carboxylic acid; about 2 or more parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid for each 4 parts of medium chain carboxylic acid; or about 2 parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid for each 3 parts of medium chain carboxylic acid. In one embodiment, the solubilizer includes solvent, surfactant or mixture thereof. In one embodiment, the surfactant solubilizer includes a microemulsion that forms the surfactant, for example, an anionic surfactant. In one embodiment, the composition includes a microemulsion. In one embodiment, the solubilizer includes polyalkylene oxide, polyalkylene oxide blocked at its end, nonionic surfactant, anionic surfactant or mixture thereof. In one embodiment, the solvent solubilizer includes polyalkylene oxide, polyalkylene oxide blocked at its end, nonionic surfactant or mixture thereof. In one embodiment, the present compositions do not include only insignificant or relatively small amounts of short chain peroxycarboxylic acid, short chain carboxylic acid or mixture thereof. For example, in one embodiment, the composition can be substantially free of short chain carboxylic acid added short chain peroxycarboxylic acid or mixture thereof. For example, in one embodiment, the composition may include the short chain carboxylic acid, chain peroxycarboxylic acid, cut or mixture thereof at a level insufficient to solubilize the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. For example, in one embodiment, the composition may include the short chain carboxylic acid, short chain peroxycarboxylic acid or mixture thereof at an insufficient level to cause unacceptable odor. For example, in one embodiment, the composition may include about 1 or more parts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid for each 8 parts of short chain carboxylic acid of short chain peroxycarboxylic acid or mixture thereof. In one embodiment, the composition also includes the oxidizing agent, inorganic acid, stabilizing agent, other adjuvant or additive or mixture thereof. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for making a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition. The method can include reacting the medium chain carboxylic acid and the oxidizing agent in the presence of the carrier, solubilizer, acidifier, stabilizing agent, or mixture thereof. The method can form advantageously high levels of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid in advantageously short times. For example, in one embodiment, the present method includes converting 20% or more of the medium chain carboxylic acid to the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid in about 24 or fewer hours. For example, in one embodiment, the present method includes converting about 25% or more of the medium chain carboxylic acid to the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid in about 24 or fewer hours. For example, in one embodiment, the present method includes converting about 30% or more of the medium chain carboxylic acid to the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid in about 24 or fewer hours. For example, in one embodiment, the present method includes converting about 35% or more of the medium chain carboxylic acid to the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid in about 24 or fewer hours. For example, in one embodiment, the present method includes converting 40% of the average chain carboxylic acid to the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid in about 24 or fewer hours. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for using a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition. The method may include contacting an object with the present composition (eg, a use composition) and may result in reducing the population of one or more microorganisms in the object.

Compositions of Use The compositions herein include compositions of concentrate and compositions of use. For example, a concentrate composition can be diluted, for example with water, to form a composition of use. In one embodiment, a concentrate composition can be diluted to a use solution before being applied to an object. For reasons of economy, the concentrate can be sold and an end user can dilute the concentrate with water or an aqueous diluent to give a use solution. The level of active components in the concentrate composition depends on the intended dilution factor and the desired activity of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compound. In general, a dilution of about 28.35g of fluid to about 75.6 liters of water to about 141.7 grams of fluid to about 3.78 liters of water is used for aqueous antimicrobial compositions. Higher-use dilutions may be used if a high-use temperature (greater than 25 ° C) or an extended exposure time (greater than 30 seconds) is used. At the site of typical use, the concentrate is diluted with a higher proportion of water using commonly available service or current water, mixing the materials at a dilution ratio of about 85.05 to about 567 grams of concentrate per 378.4 liters of water. For example, a use composition may include from about 0.01 to about 4% by weight of a concentrate composition and from about 96 to about 99.99% by weight of diluent; from about 0.5 to about 4% by weight of a concentrate composition and from about 96 to about 99.5% by weight of diluent; from about 0.5, about 1, about 1.5, about 2, about 2.5, about 3, about 3.5, or about 4% by weight of a concentrate composition; from about 0.01 to about 0.1% by weight of a concentrate composition; or about 0.01, about 0.02, about 0.03, about 0.04, about 0.05, about 0.06, about 0.07, about 0.08, about 0.09, or about 0.1% by weight of a concentrate composition.

The amounts of an ingredient in a composition of use can be calculated from the amounts listed above for concentrate compositions and these dilution factors. The methods of the present invention can employ medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid at an effective concentration to reduce the population of one or more microorganisms. Said effective concentrations include from about 2 to about 500 ppm of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, from about 2 to about 300 ppm of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, from about 5 to about 100 ppm of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, from about 5 to about about 60 ppm of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, from about 5 to about 45 ppm of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, from about 5 to about 35 ppm of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, from about 5 to about 25 ppm of peroxycarboxylic acid chain medium, from about 8 to about 50 ppm of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, from about 10 to about 500 ppm of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, from about 10 to about 50 ppm of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, from about 40 to about 140 ppm of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, from about 100 to about 250 ppm of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, or from about 200 to about 300 ppm of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. In one embodiment, the use composition may include from about 2 to about 500 ppm of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, from about 5 to about 2000 ppm of medium chain carboxylic acid, from about 95 to about 99.99% by weight of carrier and / or diluent (for example, water); and from about 2 to about 23,000 ppm of polyalkylene oxide, polyalkylene oxide blocked at its end, alkoxylated surfactant, anionic surfactant, or mixtures thereof. The level of reactive species, such as peroxycarboxylic acids and / or hydrogen peroxide, in a use composition can be affected, typically decreased, by the organic matter that is in or added to the composition of use. For example, when the composition of use is a bath or spray used to wash an object, the earth on the object may consume the peroxy acid and the peroxide. In this manner, the amounts of the present ingredients in the compositions of use refer to the composition before or near use, it being understood that the amounts will decrease as organic matter is added to the composition of use. In one embodiment, the composition of use herein can be made more acidic by passing the concentrate through an acidification column, or by adding additional acidulant to the use composition.

Other Fluid Compositions Compositions herein may include a critical, quasi-critical, or supercritical (densified) fluid and an antimicrobial agent or a gaseous composition of an antimicrobial agent. The densified fluid can be an almost critical, critical, super critical fluid or another type of fluid with supercritical fluid properties. Stable fluids for densification include carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, ammonia, xenon, krypton, methane, ethane, ethylene, propane, certain fluoroalkanes (e.g., chlorotrifluoromethane and monofluoromethane), and the like, or mixtures thereof. Suitable fluids include carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, the compositions or methods herein include densified carbon dioxide, medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid, and medium chain carboxylic acid. Said composition can be referred to as a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition of densified fluid. In another embodiment, the antimicrobial composition includes the fluid, an antimicrobial agent, and any of the optional or added ingredients, but is in the form of a gas. Antimicrobial densified fluid compositions can be applied through various methods known to those skilled in the art. Such methods include ventilation in an object in a vessel containing the densified fluid and the antimicrobial agent. The aqueous phase, which includes hydrogen peroxide, is advantageously retained in the device. The ventilated gas includes an effective amount of antimicrobial agent making the densified fluid peroxycarboxylic acid compositions effective antimicrobial agents. Due to the high nature of the pressure of the densified fluid compositions of the invention, these compositions are typically applied by venting a container containing the composition through a pressure release device that is designed to promote rapid efficient coverage of an object . Devices including said pressure relief device include sprinklers, nebulizers, foaming agents, foam pad applicators, brush applicators, or any other device that can allow the expansion of fluid materials from high pressure to ambient pressure, while the material is applied to an object. The peroxycarboxylic acid composition of densified fluid can also be applied to an object through any of a variety of known methods for applying gaseous agents to an object. The antimicrobial compositions of densified fluid can be made by reacting an oxidizable substrate with an oxidizing agent in a medium comprising a densified fluid to form an antimicrobial composition. This reaction is typically carried out in a container suitable for containing a densified fluid. The reaction may include adding to the container the oxidizable substrate and the oxidizing agent, and adding fluid to the container to form the densified fluid. In one embodiment, the reactions between a medium chain carboxylic acid and hydrogen peroxide to form the corresponding peroxycarboxylic acid. Hydrogen peroxide is commonly applied in the form of an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide. The supercritical, subcritical, quasi-critical dense fluids and other solvents that can be employed with such fluids are described in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,306,350, issued April 26, 1994 to Hoy et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference. Supercritical forms and other forms of carbon dioxide, and co-solvents, co-surfactants, and other additives that can be employed with these forms of carbon dioxide are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,866,005, issued February 2, 1999 to DeSimone et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference.

Manufacturing of Medium Chain Peroxycarboxylic Acid Compositions The compositions of or used in the methods of the invention can be made by combining or reacting the medium chain carboxylic acid and the oxidizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide. The combination or reaction of the medium chain carboxylic acid and the oxidizing agent results in the production of a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. In one embodiment, the combination includes mixing. The combined formulation for making the compositions herein may also include the solubilizer, the acidulant, the carrier, the stabilizing agent, mixtures thereof, or the like. In one embodiment, the formulation includes the solubilizer. Alternatively, one or more (for example, at least one) of the solubilizer, the acidulant, the carrier, or mixtures thereof may be added after the production of some or all of the peroxycarboxylic acid. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for making a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. The method may include combining or reacting the medium chain carboxylic acid, the carrier (e.g., water), and the oxidizing agent (e.g., hydrogen peroxide), the solubilizer, acidifier, and stabilizing agent. The method may include mixing the ingredients at concentrations of from about 1 to about 10% by wt of medium chain carboxylic acid, from about 0 to about 99% by wt of carrier, from about 2 to about 30% by wt of oxidizing agent, from about 1 to about 80% by wt of solubilizer, from about 1 to about 50% by wt of acidifier, and from about 0.5 to about 50% by wt of stabilizing agent. The method may include mixing the ingredients at concentrations of from about 1 to about 10% by wt of medium chain carboxylic acid, from about 5 to about 97% by wt of carrier, from about 2 to about 30% by wt of oxidizing agent, from about 1 to about 20% by wt of solubilizer (eg, microemulsion-forming surface active agent), from about 1 to about 50% by wt of acidifier, and from about 0.5 to about 50% by wt of a stabilizing agent. The compositions herein also include compositions wherein these combinations of ingredients have been converted to a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid of equilibrium formation. In one embodiment, the method herein yields advantageously high levels of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid in advantageously short times. Advantageously short times include, for example, about 24 or less hours, about 6 or less hours, about 3 or less hours, or about 0.5 hours. In one embodiment, high levels of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid can be obtained almost instantaneously. High levels of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid can be obtained by converting 20% or more, 25% or more, 30% or more, 35% or more, or 40% of the medium chain carboxylic acid to the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. Such conversions can be achieved at room temperature or in a reaction initiated at room temperature and heated through an exotherm. Lower temperatures may require a longer time to reach the same amount of conversion. The amount of time is typically measured from the time when the carboxylic acid, oxidizing agent, solubilizer, and acidifier are combined or reacted. For example, in one embodiment, the method herein can convert 20% or more of the medium chain carboxylic acid to medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid in about 24 or fewer hours. For example, in one embodiment, the method herein can convert about 25% or more of the medium chain carboxylic acid to the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid in about 24 or fewer hours. For example, in one embodiment, the method herein can convert from about 30% or more of the medium chain carboxylic acid to medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid in about 24 or fewer hours. For example, in one embodiment, the method herein can convert from about 35% or more of the medium chain carboxylic acid to the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid in about 24 or fewer hours. For example, in one embodiment, the method herein can convert about 40% of the medium chain carboxylic acid to the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid in about 24 or fewer hours. In one embodiment, the manufacture of the compositions herein includes forming a microemulsion. A microemulsion can be formed by mixing the desired ingredients, including a surfactant microemulsion forming agent. The method may include combining or mixing the ingredients at a concentration of from about 1 to about 10% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid, from about 5 to about 97% by weight of the carrier (e.g., water), of about 2 to about 30% by weight of oxidizing agent, from about 1 to about 20% by weight of microemulsion-forming surfactant, and from about 1 to about 50% by weight of stabilizer. The compositions herein also include compositions, wherein these combinations of ingredients have reached the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. Components can be added in any of a variety of orders. In one embodiment, the formation of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid can proceed rapidly after the addition of the microemulsion forming surfactant. Although not limiting to the present invention, it is believed that the formation of the microemulsion can significantly increase the effective surface area of the medium chain carboxylic acid (as micro-droplets) for the reaction. The compositions herein can be made in a plant as a concentrate and sent to an end user who only needs to dilute the concentrate to form a composition of use. The medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositions herein can also be made at the site of use. For example, the product can be sent as a composition of two or more parts or as a team. The user can then combine the two or more compositions or components of the equipment to produce the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositions herein. Alternatively, a system for formulating equipment and containers of starting materials at the site of use can be provided, and programmed or operated to mix and disperse the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositions herein. In one embodiment, the product can be supplied as a composition of two or more parts. A composition may include carboxylic acid and one or more (eg, at least one) of solubilizer, acidulant, vehicle, stabilizing agent, mixtures thereof, or the like. The second composition may include an oxidizing agent and one or more of (for example, at least one) solubilizer, acidifier, carrier, stabilizing agent, mixtures thereof, or the like. Alternatively, the solubilizer, acidulant, vehicle, stabilizing agent, mixtures thereof, or the like can be supplied as additional compositions. In one embodiment, the pH of a concentrate composition can be less than about 1 or about 2. In one embodiment, the pH of a 1% solution or 1.5% of the mixture in water is about 1 or 2 to about 7, depending on the other components of the 1% solution. In one embodiment, the pH of a use composition may be from about 2 to about 7, depending on the other components.

Some examples of representative concentrations of ingredients useful in the methods herein for making medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositions can be found in Tables G and H, where the values are given in% by weight,% / P, of the ingredients with reference to the total weight of the composition. In certain modalities, the proportions and quantities in the G-H boxes can be modified by "approximately". The compositions herein also include compositions wherein these combinations of ingredients have been converted to a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. Table G Table H The present invention can be better understood by reference to the following examples. These examples are intended to be representative of the specific embodiments of the invention, and are not intended to limit. the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1 - - Compositions Including Medium Chain Peroxycarboxylic Acid and a Solubilizer Tables 1-5 present illustrative examples of the compositions herein, including medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid and a solubilizer. The amounts in the tables are in% by weight.

Table 1 - Examples of compositions that include a Solvent-Solubilizer In each of the compositions A-Q: the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid was peroxyoctanoic acid; the medium chain carboxylic acid was octanoic acid; the vehicle was water; the oxidizing agent was hydrogen peroxide (supplied from a 35% solution); and the stabilizing agent was HEDP (supplied as Dequest 2010 which includes 60% by weight of HEDP). In each of the compositions A-L, O, P and Q: the acidulant was concentrated sulfuric acid. In compositions M and N, the acidulant was phosphoric acid (supplied as 85% and 75% phosphoric acid, respectively). The solubilizer was varied between these compositions. In compositions A and B, the solubilizer was polyethylene glycol 300. In compositions C, D and E, the solubilizer was polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether (MPEG 550). In composition F, the solubilizer was nonionic surfactant, specifically Pluronic 17R4 a reverse triblock (PO) x (EO) and (PO) x copolymer with 40% EO and 60% PO. In composition G, the solubilizer was polyethylene glycol 300 plus LAS acid (98% linear dodecybenzenesulfonic acid). In composition H, the solubilizer was polyethylene glycol 300 plus 1-octane sulfonate (supplied under the tradename of NAS-FAL as a 38% active). In composition I, the solubilizer was polyethylene glycol 300 plus Dowfax hydrophilic acid plus disulfonic acid of C6 alkylated diphenyl oxide). In composition J, the solubilizer was polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether (PolyDME250) and LAS acid. In composition K, the solubilizer was polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether (PolyDME250) and NAS-FAL. In composition L, the solubilizer was polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether (PoIyDME250) and Dowfax Hydrotropic acid. In the compositions, M, N and P, the solubilizer was polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether (PolyDME250) and NAS-FAL. In the composition Q, the solubilizer was dimethyl ether of polyethylene glycol and acid ÑAS (provided as 93% of 1-octane sulfonic acid). These compositions were made from a composition that includes 5% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid. In each of the compositions R-Z: the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; the medium chain peroxyoctanoic acid was octanoic acid; the carrier was water; the oxidizing agent was hydrogen peroxide (supplied with 35% solution); and the stabilizing agent was HEDP (supplied as Dequest 2010 which includes HEDP60% by weight).

Table 2 - Examples of Compositions Including Solvent-Solubilizer and Surface-Solubilizing Agent l \ n n cn cn Table 3 - Examples of Compositions Including Surfactant-Surfactant 4*. n O cn o n Table 4 - Examples of Compositions Including Anionic Surfactant and / or Microemulsion Solubilizer ? ro ro cn or cn cn Table 4 - Continuation ^ In compositions R and S, the acidulant was phosphoric acid (supplied as 75% phosphoric acid). In each of the compositions T, U and V, the acidulant was the reagent grade, 98%, concentrated sulfuric acid (15% by weight) and phosphoric acid (23% by weight) (supplied as 75% phosphoric acid) . In compositions W, X, Y, and Z, the acidulant was concentrated sulfuric acid (25% by weight) and phosphoric acid (14% by weight) (supplied as 75% phosphoric acid). The solubilizer was varied between these compositions. In the composition R, the solubilizer was 1-octane sulfonate (1.9% by weight) and Tegotens CEE-1 (an ethoxylate of alcohol blocked at its end with butoxy, a surfactant agent of rapid wetting) (15% by weight). In compositions S, T, and W the solubilizer was Tegotens EC-11. In compositions U and Y, the solubilizer was Dehypon LS-54 (R (EO) 5 (PO) 4, a fast wetting surfactant). In compositions V and Z, the solubilizer was Dehypon LT-104 (an alcohol ethoxylate blocked at its end with butyl). In composition X, the solubilizer was LF-221 (an alcohol ethoxylate blocked at its end with butoxy). In each of the AA-VV compositions: the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid was peroxyoctanoic acid; the medium chain carboxylic acid was octanoic acid; the vehicle was water; the oxidizing agent was hydrogen peroxide (supplied as 35% hydrogen peroxide in water); and the stabilizing agent was HEDP (supplied as Dequest 2010, which includes 60% by weight of HEDP). In each of the compositions AA, AA-O, DD, EE, GG, KK, LL, MM, NN, PP, QQ, RR, SS, TT, UU, and VV the acidulant was phosphoric acid (supplied as phosphoric acid at 75%). In composition BB, HH the acidulant was concentrated sulfuric acid (reactive grade, 98%). In the CC composition, the acidulant was methane sulphonic acid (99.5% + Aldrich). In the FF composition, the acidulant was nitric acid (supplied as 70% nitric acid). In composition II, the acidulant was concentrated sulfuric acid (technical grade, 93%). In composition JJ, the acidulant was sulfuric acid (supplied as 50% sulfuric acid). The solubilizer was varied between these compositions. In the compositions AA, AA-O, BB, CC, DD, FF, LL, HH, II and JJ, the solubilizer was 1-octane sulfonate. In compositions EE and GG, the solubilizer was 1-octane sulfonate (3.8% by weight) and Dehypon LS-54 (0.2% by weight). In the KK composition, the solubilizer was 1-octane sulfonate (NAS-FAL). In the MM composition, the solubilizer was 1-octane sulfonate (3.8% by weight) and Barlox 12 (dodecyldimethyl amine oxide, 30% active) (0.25% by weight). In the NN composition, the solubilizer was 1-octane sulfonate (3.8% by weight) and Barlox 12 (0.5% by weight). In the OO composition, the solubilizer was 1-octane sulfonate (3.8% by weight) and Barlox 12 (1% by weight). In the compositions PP, QQ, RR, and SS, the solubilizer was LAS acid. In the TT composition, the solubilizer was disodium cocoamfo dipropionate (supplied under the trade name Miranol® FBS, which 39% solids). In the UU composition, the solubilizer was an aminoproprionate-betaine (supplied under the trade name Mirataine® JC-AH, which 42% solids). In composition VV, the solubilizer is EO carboxylic acid of 4 moles of C 12-13 alcohol (supplied under the trade name Neodox 23-4, which includes 90% active). The amounts of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid were determined in the compositions PP, QQ, RR, and SS after 7.5 days at 60 ° C.

Table 5 - Examples of Compositions Including Anionic Surfactant and / or Microemulsion Solubilizer plus a Strong Organic Acidulant In each of the compositions WW, XX, YY, ZZ, and BA: the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid was peroxyoctanoic acid; the medium chain carboxylic acid was octanoic acid; the vehicle was water; the oxidizing agent was hydrogen peroxide (supplied as 35% hydrogen peroxide in water); the stabilizing agent was HEDP (supplied as Dequest 2010, which includes 60% by weight of HEDP); and the solubilizer was NAS-FAL. The acidulant was varied between these compositions. In the WW composition, the acidulant was hydroxyacetic acid (supplied as 75% hydroxyacetic acid) (19% by weight) and sulfuric acid (reactive grade, 98%) (5% by weight). In composition XX, the acidulant was hydroxyacetic acid (supplied as 75% hydroxyacetic acid) (19% by weight) and methane sulphonic acid (99.5% + Aldrich) (5% by weight). In composition YY, the acidulant was hydroxyacetic acid- (supplied as 75% hydroxyacetic acid). In the ZZ composition, the acidulant was purified hydroxyacetic acid. In composition BA, the acidulant was hydroxypropionic acid (supplied as 22% 3-hydroxypropionic acid). In these compositions, the hydroxycarboxylic acids virtually contributed to no solubilization of the medium chain carboxylic acid. The compositions required a solubilizer.

Formation of Illustrative Compositions Table 6 shows the rapid generation of peroxyoctanoic acid achieved to make the KK composition.

Table 6 - Peroxioctanoic Acid Generation with Time at Ambient Temperature and at 48.8 ° C (Composition KK) When a high level of sulfuric acid was used as the acidulant (Examples including B, E, O, and Q), a strong exotherm was obtained, and the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid was generated rapidly, for example, virtually in instantaneous way For some of these compositions, the sulfuric acid needed to be added slowly and with cooling to keep the temperature below 76.6 ° C or below 48.8 ° C. Said formulas that can generate medium chain peroxycarboxylic acids, quickly or almost instantaneously, can be used for on-site generation at the location of use. Peroxyoctanoic acid concentrations reported in the examples herein were determined through a well-established and standardized titration protocol. First, the content of hydrogen peroxide was determined through an oxidation-reduction titration with ceric sulfate. After reaching the end point of this titration, an excess of potassium iodide was added to the solution. Potassium iodide reacts with peroxycarboxylic acids to release iodine. The released iodine was titrated with a standard solution of sodium thiosulfate to produce the concentration of peroxycarboxylic acid. The remaining level of carboxylic acid can be calculated. The octanoic acid employed in the examples herein was obtained from sources including Procter & Gamble Chemicals and include a minimum of 95% octanoic acid with minor amounts of hexanoic acid (approximately 2%), decanoic acid (approximately 2%), and dodecanoic acid (< 0.5%).

Example 2 - Stability of Compositions Including Middle Chain Peroxycarboxylic Acid and Solvent The compositions according to the present invention were evaluated and demonstrated physical stability and advantageous stability of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid.

Materials and Methods Several of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositions of the present were evaluated for the stability of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. A sealed container, including the composition, was placed in an oven at an elevated temperature or left at room temperature for a period of time. Temperatures and times are reported in the tables below. One week at 60 ° C can be considered equivalent to one year at room temperature (RT). The amount of peroxycarboxylic acid was determined by titration. Several of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositions herein were also evaluated for physical stability. The samples were visually inspected at intervals where the level of peroxycarboxylic acid was also determined.

Results The results obtained for stability determinations of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid and physical stability are reported later in Tables 7 and 8. The results presented in Table 7 for the compositions M and N, indicate that the stability of the Medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid was reduced when the phosphoric acid was increased from 25% to 35%. This suggests that compositions that include a solvent-solubilizer are susceptible to degradation caused by impurities present in the technical grade phosphoric acid. The results presented in Table 8, specifically the appearance of Tyndall blue, indicate that each of these compositions was in the form of a microemulsion. An accelerated aging study of a mixed peroxycarboxylic acid composition demonstrated that the peroxyoctanoic acid in a mixed peracid composition underwent significant degradation at 60 ° C in 7 days. After 7 days, three samples experienced 20, 23, and 54% degradation. The microemulsion compositions were less susceptible to degradation by impurities. For example, compositions KK and LL included technical grade phosphoric acid and exhibited good stability. In contrast, if phosphoric acid is to be used in conventional peroxycarboxylic acid formulations, a high degree of purity is required to avoid unacceptable degradation. Compositions A, B, C, D, and E were two-phase compositions.

Table 7 - Advantageous Stability of Medium Chain Peroxycarboxylic Acid in Present Compositions, Including Solvent-Solubilizer Table 8 - Stability of Compositions Including Anionic Surfactant and / or Microemulsion Solubilizer Example 3 - - Viscosity Cutting Effort Thickener of the Compositions Including Middle Chain Peroxicarboxylic Acid and Solubilizer The compositions according to the present invention were evaluated and demonstrated to have an advantageous shear thickener viscosity, which is characteristic of microemulsions.

Materials and Methods Several of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositions herein were evaluated for viscosity as a function of spindle rotation speed using an LVT viscometer and an N2 spindle. The temperature of the compositions was room temperature (approximately 23.8 ° C).

Results The results obtained for the viscosity determinations of the compositions herein are reported below in Table 9. The viscosity reduction with increase in the screw rotation speed indicates shear thickening, which is characteristic of a microemulsion . Each of the tested compositions showed viscosity of shear thickening.

Table 9 - Thickness Viscosity of Cutting Effort of Composition LL Table 10 - Thickness Viscosity of Cutting Effort of Composition HH Table 11 - Thickness Viscosity of Cutting Effort of Composition KK Conclusions The shear thickening viscosity of the compositions herein is characteristic of a structured composition, such as a microemulsion.

Example 4 - - Antimicrobial Effectiveness of Comp ations of 1 a Present that include Peroxycarboxylic Chain and Solubilizing Acid The compositions according to the present invention were evaluated and demonstrated advantageous antimicrobial activity against microbes such as gram negative bacteria, gram positive bacteria, fungi, spores, viruses and mycobacteria.

Materials and methods The antimicrobial activity was determined according to two well-established methods. The first method was the procedure established in Germicidal and Detergent Sanitizing Action of Disinfectants, Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, paragraph 960.09 and applicable sections, 15th Edition, 1990 (EPA Guideline 91-2). The second method was the procedure described in A.O.A.C. Use Dilution Methods, Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, paragraph 955.14 and applicable sections, 15th Edition, 1990 (EPA Guideline 91-2). In summary, the antimicrobial activity of the compositions herein was determined by exposing an aliquot of one ml containing the target microorganism to 99 ml of the desired concentration of the test substance at the desired temperature. After the specified contact time, one ml of the test solution containing the microorganism was neutralized and the survivors were enumerated. The hospital disinfecting efficacy of the compositions herein was determined by drying the target microorganism on a stainless steel vehicle and exposing the vehicle to 10 ml of the desired concentration of the test composition at the desired temperature for the specified contact time. Thereafter, the vehicle was transferred aseptically to a neutralized r / sub-culture medium. The antiviral activity against Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 was determined by known procedures. In summary: Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 was dried on a glass surface. The virus film was exposed to the test substance for 10 minutes at room temperature. Then, the film mixture and the test substance were subjected to gel filtration to separate small molecules from the virus particles. The recovered virus was analyzed for infectious ability through an accepted assay method. The antiviral activity against Polio Virus Type 1 was determined by known methods. In summary: Type 1 Polio Virus was dried on a glass surface. The virus film was exposed to the test substance for 5 minutes at room temperature. Then, the film mixture and the test substance were subjected to gel filtration to separate small molecules from the virus particles. The recovered virus was analyzed for infectious ability through an accepted assay method.

Results Tables 12-21 include data showing that the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositions of the present had antimicrobial activity when tested against bacteria, fungi and spores in several different types of tests. The data presented in Table 12 demonstrate that the compositions of the present exhibited significant antimicrobial activity when diluted with a diluent at a pH of less than 4. The efficacy was not as great if the composition was diluted and then the pH was brought to less than or equal to 4. These results illustrate that the compositions herein with significant levels of acidulant exhibited, under certain circumstances, advantageous activity. The data presented in Table 13 demonstrate that the compositions herein exhibited significant antimicrobial activity at a pH of 2.6 to 3.5. These results indicate that at a pH of 6.1, 11 ppm of peroxyoctanoic acid (POOA) are still effective in reducing S. aureus by one > 7.04 log The data presented in Table 14 demonstrate that the efficacy of this composition was not as great against E. coli if diluted and, then, the pH was brought to less than 4. The data presented in Table 15 demonstrate that the compositions of the present exhibited an important antimicrobial activity. All tested formulas obtained reductions of > 5 log of Escherichia coli in 30 seconds at 0.069%, when diluted in 500 ppm of synthetic hard water Also, these compositions obtained a complete annihilation reduction of (> 7 log) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 30 seconds to 0.082% when diluted in 500 ppm of synthetic hard water The combination of the upper pH and lower ppm in a composition may have contributed to the lower log reduction.

The data presented in Table 16 demonstrate that the compositions herein exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against various fungi and bacteria. The compositions herein exhibited a broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi at low levels of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid. These results indicate that composition 106 is more effective than DD composition. Composition BB achieved higher reductions of A. niger and P. aeruginosa at similar levels of peroxycarboxylic acid. The data presented in Table 17 demonstrate that the compositions herein exhibited an important antimicrobial activity against various fungi and several bacteria. The data presented in Table 18 demonstrate that one of the compositions of the present (KK) exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against E. Coli 0157: H7, S. typhimurium and L. monocytogenes. This composition achieved more than 99.999% reduction in an exposure time of 30 seconds. The data presented in Table 19 demonstrate that the compositions of the present exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against several bacteria in a hospital disinfectant test. The hospital disinfectant test measures whether the composition wiped out all the microbes in a stainless steel vehicle. A composition listed as 10/10 wiped out all the bacteria in each of the 10 vehicles. Likewise, a result of 60/60 indicates that a composition annihilated all the bacteria in each of the 60 vehicles. These results present a major challenge for an antimicrobial agent since it requires activity in the presence of 5% fetal bovine serum. Therefore, it indicates that the compositions herein were effective as a hospital disinfectant in the presence of blood stains. The data presented in Table 20 demonstrate that one of the compositions herein exhibited superior antimicrobial activity against several bacteria in a hospital disinfectant test compared to a conventional commercially available antimicrobial agent. The hospital disinfectant test measures whether the composition wiped out all the microbes in a particular vehicle. The composition according to the present invention, A-O, passed the hospital disinfectant test, with complete annihilation in 59 of 60 vehicles. The conventional antimicrobial agent (containing hydrogen peroxide as active) did not pass the test. There was complete annihilation in only 58 of 60 vehicles. These results indicate that in the presence of fetal bovine serum and when diluted in synthetic hard water, the composition of the present was more effective than the commercially available hospital disinfectant. The data presented in Table 21 demonstrate that the compositions of the present exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against bacterial spores. Bacterial spores are difficult to annihilate. These results indicate that at elevated temperatures, the effectiveness of the compositions herein increased, which provides effective annihilation at reduced contact times. The data presented in Table 22 demonstrate that the compositions herein exhibited superior antimicrobial activity against bacterial spores, compared to conventional peroxide and peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobials. The composition of the present resulted in greater annihilation at equal or lower concentrations of the antimicrobial active. These results indicate that the compositions herein exhibited superior antimicrobial activity compared to conventional antimicrobials. The data presented in Table 23 demonstrate that the compositions herein exhibited an effective antimicrobial activity against Mycobacterium bovis. The composition of the present (B) provided complete annihilation of M. bovis BCG at dilutions of 28.35 grams per 15.13 liters and 28.35 grams per 22.70 liters with exposure times as short as 6 minutes. These results indicate that the compositions of the present invention can be employed as a tuberculocidal agent. Tests against Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 resulted in complete annihilation of this virus. The virus was dried on a hard surface. The virus on the hard surface was contacted for 10 minutes with composition B diluted at 28.35 grams per 22.70 liters or 28.35 grams per 30.27 liters. Both dilutions resulted in complete annihilation, a reduction greater than 5.3 log in the virus. Viruses and cells survived in appropriate controls. These results indicate that the compositions herein are effective virucides. Tests against Polio Virus Type 1 resulted in an almost complete annihilation of this virus. The virus was dried on a hard surface. The virus on the hard surface was contacted for 10 minutes with the LL composition diluted at 28.35 grams by 3.78 liters or 28.35 grams by 1.89 liters. Dilution from 28.35 grams to 3.78 liters completely killed the polio virus in 5 different titrations, did not kill any virus at the highest titration, and resulted in incomplete annihilation at the second and third highest titers. This dilution exhibited a 1.5 log reduction in virus titration. The dilution of 28.35 grams to 1.89 liters completely annihilated the polio virus to all the tested titrations. This dilution resulted in a reduction of >; 4 log in the virus titration. Viruses and cells survived in appropriate controls. These results indicate that the compositions herein are general effective virucides. The data presented in Table 24 demonstrate that the compositions herein exhibited an antimicrobial activity superior to that of the compositions including synthetic medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid that had been added to a composition. A better efficiency was found in the solutions with the lowest pH, which were made with Milli-Q water. The 60 ppm sample almost achieved a 5 log reduction in 30 seconds. However, these data indicate that the pH of the test solution may be more important than the ppm of active POOA. The data presented in Table 25 demonstrate that the compositions herein exhibited an antimicrobial activity superior to that of the compositions including synthetic medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid that had been added to a composition. These data further suggest that POOA exhibited a higher activity against Escherichia coli, at a pH of -4.0 and at a concentration > 5 ppm no matter what diluent was used. Against Staphilococcus aureus POOA achieved reductions of 5 log at a concentration of 5 ppm and at a pH of -5. There was no difference between the reductions seen in Milli-Q water and soft water for any organism.

Table 12 - Antimicrobial Activity of Compositions Including Solvent-Solubilizer Against E. coli and S. aureus with an Exposure to Ambient Temperature of 30 Seconds.

HW = 500 ppm synthetic hard water Table 13 - Antimicrobial Activity of Compositions Including Solvent-Solubilizer Against E. coli and S. aureus with Exposure Times at Ambient Temperature of 30 Seconds - Tests Conducted Using Synthetic Hard Water with Adjusted pH Table 14 - Antimicrobial Activity of Compositions Including Solvent-Solubilizer Against E. coli and S. aureus with Exposure Times at Ambient Temperature of 30 Seconds -Trials Conducted with a pH Adjusted After Dosing 2 drops of 1.0 N HCl * 5 drops of 1.0 N HCl Table 15 - Antimicrobial Activity of Compositions Including an Anionic Surfactant and / or Solubilizer of Microemulsion Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli with an Exposure to Ambient Temperature of 30 Seconds to a Composition Made with 500 ppm Synthetic Hard Water at a pH of 7.60 = The duplicate plate accounts were not consistent Table 16 - Antimicrobial Activity of Compositions Including an Anionic Surfactant and / or Solubilizer of Microemulsion Against Various Fungi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with an Exposure to Ambient Temperature of 30 Seconds I \ 0 cn or cn cn Table 17 - Antimicrobial Activity of Compositions Including Anionic Surfactant and / or Microemulsion Solubilizer Against Various Fungi and Various Bacteria with a 30 Seconds Exposure to Ambient Temperature CO * also annihilated a virulent strain of E. coli Table 18 - Antimicrobial Activity of the Composition that Includes an Anionic Surfactant and / or Solubilizer of Microemulsion Against Various Bacteria at an Exposure to Ambient Temperature of 30 and 60 Seconds Table 19 - Antimicrobial Activity of the Composition that Includes an Anionic Surfactant and / or Solubilizer of Microemulsion Against Various Bacteria in a Hospital Disinfecting Test Table 20 - Antimicrobial Activity of the Composition that Includes an Anionic Surfactant and / or Microemulsion Solubilizer and a Conventional Antimicrobial Composition Against Various Bacteria in a Hospital Disinfectant Test Table 21 - Antimicrobial Activity of Compositions Including an Anionic Surfactant and / or Microemulsion Solubilizer Against Bacterial Spore Table 22 - Antimicrobial Activity of Compositions Including an Anionic Surfactant and / or Microemulsion Solubilizer and of Conventional Compositions Against Bacterial Spores Table 23 - Antimicrobial Activity of Compositions including Solvent-Solubilizer against Mycobacteria Table 24 - Antimicrobial Activity of Compositions Including POOA of Pure Crystals at 60, 40 and 20 ppm in Milli-Q Water and Synthetic Hard Water Table 25 - Antimicrobial Activity of Compositions Including POOA of Pure Crystals in Milli-Q Water and Soft Water at Different pH Values against Two Bacteria with an Exposure Time at Ambient Temperature of 30 Seconds * Indicates a pH shift of -0.7 pH units during the 5 hours in which the test was performed.

Example 5 - Compositions Including Middle Chain Peroxycarboxylic Acid and Solubilizer Table 26 presents additional illustrative examples of the present compositions including medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid and the solubilizer. The quantities in the tables are in% by weight (% / p). In each of the AB-AQ compositions: the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid was peroxyoctanoic acid; the medium chain carboxylic acid was octanoic acid; the vehicle was water; the oxidizing agent was hydrogen peroxide (supplied from a 35% solution); the stabilizing agent was HEDP (supplied as Dequest 2010, which includes 60% by weight of HEDP); and the acidulant was phosphoric acid (supplied as 75% phosphoric acid). The AC composition included fragrance (1% by weight), specifically an apple mint fragrance. The solubilizer was varied between these compositions. In each of the compositions AB-DC, AH, Al, AN, the solubilizer was LAS acid. In compositions AE and AJ, the solubilizer was LAS acid plus n-octyl amine. In the AG composition, the solubilizer was LAS plus C8-dimethyl amine. In the AF composition, the solubilizer was LAS plus C8-dimethyl amine acid. In AK composition, the solubilizer was LAS acid plus alkylated diphenyl oxide disulfonate (acid form) In the AL composition, the solubilizer was alkylated diphenyl oxide disulfonate (acid form). In the AM composition, the solubilizer was LAS acid plus alkylated diphenyl oxide disulfonate (acid form) and C8 amine oxide In the AO composition, the solubilizer was sodium laureth sulfate, the suitable sodium laureth sulfates tested include those with n = 1 and 3. In the AP composition, the solubilizer was alkylated diphenyl oxide disulfonate (salt form) In the composition AQ, the solubilizer was alkylated diphenyl oxide disulfonate (salt form) plus NAS-FAL. AR-AW: the vehicle was water, the oxidizing agent was hydrogen peroxide (supplied from a 35% solution), the stabilizing agent was HEDP (supplied as Dequest 2010, which includes 60% by weight of HEDP), the acidulant was phosphoric acid (supplied as 75% phosphoric acid) and the solubilizer was LAS acid. The medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid and the medium chain carboxylic acid were varied between these compositions. In the AR composition, the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid was peroxinonanoic acid and the medium chain carboxylic acid was nonanoic acid (straight chain nonanoic acid).

Table 26 - Examples of Compositions Including Surfactant-Surfactant (amounts in% / p) Table 26, continued - Examples of Compositions including Surfactant-Surfactant Table 26, continued - Examples of Compositions Including Surfactant-Surfactant In the AS-AW compositions, the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid was peroxioctanoic acid and peroxynonanoic acid and the medium chain carboxylic acid was octanoic acid and nonanoic acid; nonanoic acid (as isononanoic acid (which is believed to be a 6-carbon main chain with three pending methyl groups)) was present at 0.5, 1, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3% by weight for AS-AW, respectively. In each of the compositions AX-AZ and BC-BF: the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid was peroxyoctanoic acid; the medium chain carboxylic acid was octanoic acid; the vehicle was water; the oxidizing agent was hydrogen peroxide (supplied from a 35% solution); the stabilizing agent was HEDP (supplied as Dequest 2010, which includes 60% by weight of HEDP); and the acidulant was phosphoric acid (supplied as 75% phosphoric acid).

The solubilizer was varied between these compositions. In the composition AX, the solubilizer was LAS acid plus sodium lauryl sulfate. In composition AY, the solubilizer was LAS acid plus sodium lauryl sulfate and C8 dimethylamine. In compositions AZ and BC-BF, the solubilizer was secondary alloy sulfonate (a mixture of sulfonated paraffins sold under the trade name Hostapur SAS). In each of the BG-BK compositions: the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid was peroxyoctanoic acid; The medium chain carboxylic acid was octanoic acid; the vehicle was water; the oxidizing agent was hydrogen peroxide (supplied from a 35% solution); the stabilizing agent was HEDP (supplied as Dequest 2010, which includes 60% by weight of HEDP); the solubilizer was secondary alcansulfonate (a mixture of sulfonated paraffins sold under the trade name Hostapur SAS) plus NAS-FAL; and the acidulant was sulfuric acid.

Compositions including LAS, secondary alkan sulfonate, alkylated diphenyl oxide disulfunate, or sodium lauryl sulfate as a solubilizer were foaming compositions. Specifically, compositions AB and CA are foaming compositions. Most compositions were stable phase. In particular: The compositions AX and AY were determined as being of stable phase at 60 ° C. For example, several of the compositions for which the% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid was not determined (nd) were not stable phase. That is, they separated in more than one phase after a predetermined time to one or more of (for example, at least one) 4.4 ° C, room temperature, 37.7 ° C, or 60 ° C. Peroxyoctanoic acid concentrations reported in the examples herein were determined through a well-established and standardized titration protocol. First, the content of hydrogen peroxide was determined through an oxidation-reduction titration with potassium permanganate. After reaching the end point of this titration, an excess of potassium iodide was added to the solution. Potassium iodide reacts with peroxycarboxylic acids to release iodine. The iodine released was fused with a standard solution of sodium thiosulfate to produce the concentration of peroxycarboxylic acid. The remaining level of carboxylic acid can be (and was). calculated. The peroxycarboxylic acid was fused at a time after the formulation was practiced in the laboratory. For example, peroxycarboxylic acid was titrated for the compositions AB, AD, AE, AF, AG, AH, AK, AL, AO, AP, AQ, AU, AV, AZ, BC "and BD after the sample was saturated at room temperature for 0.2 (BD), or 3 (AP, AU and AV) days. For example, peroxycarboxylic acid was titrated for the CA and BG-BK compositions after the sample was saturated at 37.7 ° C for 4 days (CA) or 7 days (BG-BK). For example, peroxycarboxylic acid was titrated for the compositions Al, AN, AR BE and BF after the sample was saturated at 60 ° C for 1 day (Al, AR, and BE) or 4 days (AN and BF) . For composition AB, no decomposition of peroxycarboxylic acid was observed after aging of the composition for 7 days at 60 ° C. For the CA composition, no decomposition of the peroxycarboxylic acid was observed after aging the composition for 34 days at 37.7 ° C. Other compositions were also observed and included stable peroxycarboxylic acid. The octanoic acid employed in the examples herein was obtained from sources, including Procter & amp;; Gamble Chemicals and includes a minimum of 95% octanoic acid with minor amounts of hexanoic acid (approximately 2%), decanoic acid (approximately 0.2%) and dodecanoic acid (< 0.5%).

Fragrance Certain of the compositions were evaluated for phase stability and for odor after the addition of a fragrance. In particular, compositions AB and AG were evaluated. The evaluated fragrances included Green Meadow (Klabin); Vinegar Mask I (J &E Sozio); Vinagar Mask II (J &E Sozio); amyl acetate; iso-bornyl acetate; and methyl salicylate. The CA composition included fragrance (1% by weight), specifically an apple-mint fragrance, which is believed to be or includes an alkyl salicylate. The CA composition was altered and included 10% by weight LAS and remained in the individual phase at 4.4 ° C, room temperature and 21.1 ° C Foaming The results in Table 27 show that the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition of the present produced a foam with desirable qualities. This study used a "FOAM IT" tank skimmer set to produce slightly wet foam, 2 turns from the midpoint. The foam was dispensed from the use composition at 35-36.6 ° C. The foam was sprayed on a vertical stainless steel surface (approximately 4.57 m by 4.57 m) from a distance of about 3048 mt. The results of Table 27 demonstrate that the compositions herein provided a foam with desirable hanging time and density. Each of the compositions tested at 28.35 g / 22.70 liters provided a foam with desirable characteristics, such as that the rupture foam was visible for about 5 min, the foam drained well from the vertical surface, exhibited good surface lamination vertical, and dried uniformly until there is no visible residue.

Example 6 - Antimicrobial efficacy of the compositions herein including medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid and solubilizer Additional compositions according to the present invention were evaluated and demonstrated the advantageous antimicrobial activity against microbes such as gram negative bacteria, gram positive bacteria, fungi. , spores, viruses and mycobacteria.

Table 27 - foaming through the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositions of the present Materials and methods The antimicrobial activity was determined as described above in Example 4.

Results Tables 28-29 include data showing that the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid compositions of the present had antimicrobial activity when tested against bacteria, fungi and spores in several different types of tests. The data presented in Table 28 demonstrate that the compositions herein exhibited significant antimicrobial activity. Table 1 included a 5 min exposure of the microbe to the AB composition at room temperature. The microbes in test 1 included E. aerogenes ATCC 13048 and aureus ATCC 6538. Test 2 included an exposure time of 30 sec of the microbe to composition AB at room temperature. The microbes in test 2 included S.auregenes ATCC 6538, E. coli ATCC 11229, and P. aeruginosa ATCC 13442. The data presented in Table 29 demonstrate the sporocidal activity of a composition according to the present invention. The Tests against Polio Type 1 resulted in a complete annihilation of this virus. The virus was dried on a hard surface. The virus on the hard surface was contacted for 10 min with the composition that AG diluted to 28.35 g by 3.784 It or 28.35 g by 1.89 It. The AG composition showed complete inactivation of the Polio virus type 1 after either 3 min or 5 min exposure at 20 ° C. The composition produced a reduction of > 6 and > 5.3 in 3 and 5 min, respectively. The virus and the cells survived in the appropriate controls. These results indicate that the compositions herein are general virucidal effective. Compositions that included a fragrance did not show any negative effect on the antimicrobial efficacy from the fragrance. Several additional compositions were tested for antimicrobial activity and exhibited results similar to those reported in this Example.

Table 28-Activity of the AB Composition against Various Microorganisms Table 29-KK Composition Activity against Spores of B. subtilis ATCC 49760 It should be noted that, as used in this specification and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the, the, the," include plural references unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. . Thus, for example, reference to a composition containing "a compound" includes a mixture of two or more compounds. It should be noted that the term "or" is generally used in its sense including "and / or" unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. All publications and patent applications in this specification are indicative of the level of ordinary experience in the art to which this invention pertains. The invention has been described with reference to several specific and preferred embodiments and techniques. However, it should be understood that many variations and modifications may be made as long as they remain within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for reducing the microbial population in poultry during processing, comprising: applying to the poultry during processing a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition in an amount and time sufficient to reduce the microbial population; the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition comprises: about 2 to about 500 ppm of peroxyoctanoic acid; about 5 to about 2000 ppm octanoic acid; about 95 to about 99.99% by weight of water; and about 2 to about 16,000 ppm of at least one polyalkylene oxide, polyalkylene oxide monoalkylether, polyalkylene oxide dialkylether, nonionic surfactant, and anionic surfactant; the composition comprises at least about 2 parts by weight of peroxyoctanoic acid per 7 parts by weight of octanoic acid.

2. A method for recycling water previously applied to poultry, the method comprising: recovering an antimicrobial composition of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid previously applied to poultry; and adding a sufficient amount of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid to the recovered composition to obtain a recycled medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition; the added medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition comprises: about 0.0005 to about 5% by weight of peroxyoctanoic acid; about 0.001 to about 10% by weight of octanoic acid; about 5 to about 99.99% by weight of water; about 0.001 to about 60% by weight of at least one of polyalkylene oxide, polyalkylene oxide monoalkylether, dialkylene polyalkylene oxide, nonionic surfactant and anionic surfactant; about 0.002 to about 10% by weight of the oxidizing agent; about 0.001 to about 30% by weight of the inorganic acid; and about 0.001 to about 5% by weight of the sequestering agent; the composition comprises at least about 2 parts by weight of the peroxyoctanoic acid per 7 parts by weight of octanoic acid.

3. A method for recycling water previously applied to poultry, the method comprises: recovering medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition previously applied to poultry; and adding a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition sufficient to the recovered composition to obtain a recycled medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition; the added composition of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid comprises: about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of peroxyoctanoic acid; about 1 to about 10% by weight of octanoic acid; about 5 to about 97% by weight of water; about 1 to about 20% by weight of the anionic surfactant; about 5 to about 10% by weight of the oxidizing agent; about 15 to about 35% by weight of inorganic acid; and about 1 to about 5% by weight of the sequestering agent; the composition comprises a microemulsion.

4. A method for recycling water previously applied to poultry, the method comprises: recovering an antimicrobial composition of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid previously applied to poultry; and adding a sufficient amount of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid to the recovered composition to obtain a recycled medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition; the added medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition comprises: about 0.0005 to about 5% by weight of peroxyoctanoic acid; about 0.001 to about 10% by weight of octanoic acid; about 40 to about 99.99% by weight of water; about 0.001 to about 60% by weight of at least one of polyalkylene oxide, polyalkylene oxide monoalkylether, dialkylene polyalkylene oxide, nonionic surfactant and anionic surfactant; about 0.002 to about 10% by weight of the oxidizing agent; about 0.001 to about 30% by weight of the organic acid; and about 0.001 to about 5% by weight of the sequestering agent;

5. A concentrated antimicrobial composition comprising: a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition effective to reduce the microbial load on a poultry surface; the composition comprises: about 0.0005 to about 5% by weight of peroxyoctanoic acid; about 0.001 to about 10% by weight of octanoic acid; about 5 to about 99.99% by weight of water; about 0.001 to about 60% by weight of at least one of polyalkylene oxide, polyalkylene oxide monoalkylether, dialkylene polyalkylene oxide, nonionic surfactant and anionic surfactant; about 0.002 to about 10% by weight of the oxidizing agent; about 0.001 to about 30% by weight of the inorganic acid; and about 0.001 to about 5% by weight of the sequestering agent; the composition comprises at least about 2 parts by weight of the peroxyoctanoic acid per 7 parts by weight of octanoic acid.

6. A concentrated antimicrobial composition comprising: a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition effective to reduce the microbial load on a poultry surface; the composition comprises: about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of peroxyoctanoic acid; about 1 to about 10% by weight of octanoic acid; about 5 to about 97% by weight of water; about 1 to about 20% by weight of the anionic surfactant; about 5 to about 10% by weight of the oxidizing agent; about 15 to about 35% by weight of inorganic acid; and about 1 to about 5% by weight of the sequestering agent; the composition comprises a microemulsion.

7. A concentrated antimicrobial composition comprising: a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition effective to reduce the microbial load on a poultry surface; the composition comprises: about 0.0005 to about 5% by weight of peroxyoctanoic acid; about 0.001 to about 10% by weight of octanoic acid; about 40 to about 99.99% by weight of water; about 0.001 to about 60% by weight of at least one of polyalkylene oxide, polyalkylene oxide monoalkylether, polyalkylene oxide dialkieter, anionic surfactant and nonionic surfactant; about 0.002 to about 10% by weight of the oxidizing agent; about 0.001 to about 30% by weight of the organic acid; and about 0.001 to about 5% by weight of the sequestering agent.

8. A method for reducing a microbial population in poultry during processing which comprises: applying a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition to the poultry during processing in sufficient quantities and times to reduce the microbial population.

The method according to claim 8, wherein the poultry to be processed comprises chicken, turkey, ostrich, hen mounts, pigeon, guinea fowl, pheasant, duck, goose, emu or a combination thereof. same.

The method according to claim 8, which comprises applying the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition by submerging the poultry.

11. The method according to applying 10, which comprises applying the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition by scaling by immersion, cooling by immersion, hydro-cooling or cooling, dip by drop, or a combination thereof.

The method according to claim 10, which comprises applying a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition with a duration and at a selected concentration to produce a visually imperceptible dimming of subcutaneous dent, accumulated blood or a combination thereof.

The method according to claim 8, which comprises applying a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition by rinsing or spraying the poultry.

The method according to claim 13, which comprises applying a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition with a plucking sorter, by bird washing from the inside out, by plucking rinsing, by spray rinsing or a combination of the same.

15. The method according to claim 8, comprising applying the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition to a complete poultry carcass.

16. The method according to claim 15, which comprises applying the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition to a poultry carcass that has been subjected to stunning, bleeding, blanching, sorting, burning or a combination thereof.

17. The method according to claim 8, which comprises applying the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition to one or more dismembered parts of a poultry carcass.

18. The method according to claim 17, which comprises applying the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition to a poultry carcass that has been subjected to beheading, leg cutting, disembowelling, neck cutting, partitioning or a combination of them.

The method according to claim 18, which comprises applying the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition to the legs, thigh, breast, wing of the poultry, or a combination thereof of a bird that has been subjected to division into portions.

The method according to claim 17, which comprises applying the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition to a poultry that has been deboned.

21. The method according to claim 20, which comprises applying the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition to a leg, thigh, breast, boned wing of the poultry, or combinations thereof.

22. The method according to claim 8, which comprises applying the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition by air-cooling.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition comprises peroxioctanoic acid.

The method according to claim 22, wherein the air cooling comprises applying a gaseous or densified fluid antimicrobial composition.

25. The method according to claim 8, further comprising exposing the poultry to activated light.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the activated light comprises ultraviolet light, infrared light, visible light, or a combination thereof.

The method according to claim 8, wherein the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid microbial composition comprises: about 2 to about 500 ppm of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; about 5 to about 2000 ppm of carboxylic acid; about 95 to about 99.99% by weight of water; and about 2 to about 16,000 ppm of the solubilizer.

The method according to claim 27, wherein the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition further comprises stabilizing agent, wetting agent, thickener, foaming agent, acidulant, pigment, ink or a combination thereof.

29. The method according to claim 8, wherein the microbial population is the result of contamination by fecal matter or the contents of the digestive tract.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the microbial population is reduced in a continuous online process.

31. The method according to claim 8, further comprising, after applying: recovering the applied medium-chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition; and adding a sufficient amount of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid to the recovered composition to produce a recycled medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition.

32. The method according to claim 31, further comprising applying the recycled composition to the poultry during processing.

The method according to claim 31, wherein the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid comprises: about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; about 1 to about 10% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid; about 5 to about 97% by weight of water; and about 1 to about 20% by weight of the microemulsion former; the composition comprises a microemulsion.

34. The method according to claim 31, wherein the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid comprises: about 0.0005 to about 5% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; about 0.001 to about 10% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid; about 0 to about 99.99% by weight of water; and about 0.001 to about 80% by weight of an effective solubilizer to solubilize the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid and the medium chain carboxylic acid; the composition comprises about 2 or more parts by weight of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid per 7 parts by weight of the medium chain carboxylic acid.

35. The method according to claim 31, wherein the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid comprises: about 0.0005 to about 5% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; about 0.001 to about 10% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid; about 40 to about 99.99% by weight of water; and about 0.001 to about 80% by weight of an effective solubilizer for solubilizing the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid and the medium chain carboxylic acid.

36. The method according to claim 31, wherein the recycled medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition comprises: about 2 to about 500 ppm of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; about 5 to about 2000 ppm of medium chain carboxylic acid; about 95 to about 99.99% by weight of water; and about 2 to about 16,000 ppm of the solubilizer.

37. A method for recycling water previously applied to poultry, the method comprising: recovering a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition previously applied to the poultry; and adding a sufficient amount of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid to the recovered composition to produce a recycled medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising applying the recycled composition to the poultry during processing.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition comprises: about 0.0005 to about 5% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; about 0.001 to about 10% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid; about 0 to about 99.99% by weight of water; and about 0.001 to about 80% by weight of an effective solubilizer for solubilizing the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid and the medium chain carboxylic acid; the composition comprises about 2 or more parts by weight of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid per 7 parts by weight of the medium chain carboxylic acid.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition comprises: about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; about 1 to about 10% by weight of carboxylic acid; about 5 to about 97% by weight of water; and about 1 to about 20% by weight of the microemulsion former; the composition comprises a microemulsion.

41. The method according to claim 37, wherein the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition comprises: about 0.0005 to about 5% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; about 0.001 to about 10% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid; about 40 to about 99.99% by weight of water; and about 0.001 to about 80% by weight of an effective solubilizer for solubilizing the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid and the medium chain carboxylic acid.

42. The method of claim 37, wherein the composition was previously applied by washing or rinsing the channel.

43. The method of claim 37, wherein the composition was previously applied by a bird wash from the inside out.

44. A concentrated antimicrobial composition comprising: a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition effective to reduce the microbial load on a poultry surface; the composition comprises: about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; about 1 to about 10% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid; about 5 to about 97% by weight of water; and about 1 to about 20% by weight of the microemulsion former; the composition comprises a microemulsion.

45. A concentrated antimicrobial composition comprising: a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition effective to reduce the microbial load on a poultry surface; the composition comprises: about 0.0005 to about 5% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; about 0.001 to about 10% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid; about 0 to about 99.99% by weight of water; and about 0.001 to about 80% by weight of an effective solubilizer to solubilize the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid and the medium chain carboxylic acid; the composition comprises about 2 or more parts by weight of the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid for each 7 parts by weight of the medium chain carboxylic acid.

46. A concentrated antimicrobial composition comprising: a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition effective to reduce the microbial load on a poultry surface; the composition comprises: about 0.0005 to about 5% by weight of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; about 0.001 to about 10% by weight of medium chain carboxylic acid; about 40 to about 99.99% by weight of water; and about 0.001 to about 80% by weight of an effective solubilizer for solubilizing the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid and the medium chain carboxylic acid.

47. An antimicrobial use composition comprising: a medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid composition effective to reduce the microbial load on a poultry surface; the composition comprises: about 2 to about 500 ppm of medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid; about 5 to about 2000 ppm of medium chain carboxylic acid; about 95 to about 99.99% by weight of water; and about 2 to about 16,000 ppm of the solubilizer.

48. A method for reducing the microbial population in poultry processing surfaces, the method comprises: applying to the surface of poultry processing, the medium chain peroxycarboxylic acid antimicrobial composition in sufficient amount and time to reduce the microbial population.